USSR performed in the 6th group in qualification.
To Sweden despite additional obstacle
The way to the group stage was dramatic for Soviet players. Having the equal number of points with Poland USSR had to play the decisive match against them. Gavriil Kalachin's men won the game by two goals to nil.
Four FC Dynamo Kyiv performers featured in the qualifying round: Yuriy Voinov (4 appearances, 1 goal), Oleh Makarov and Viktor Fomin (one appearance each).
Worthy start
USSR national team first World Cup fixture took place on June 8 in Gothenburg at New Ullevi Stadium. Soviet performers faced England. The game ended in a draw – 2:2.
Dynamo defender Volodymyr Yerokhin was on players' list.
Three days later USSR defeated Austria by two goals to nil in Borås. The White-Blues representative Yuriy Voinov was among first eleven and Yerokhin stayed at the bench.
On June 15 Soviet team performed against Brazil in Gothenburg.
South American side won – 2:0. Voinov was in the starting lineup again.
To qualify for the next stage USSR had to defeat England in the decisive fixture. The only goal of that game was score by Soviet player Iliin. Yuriy Voinov assisted him.
On June 19 USSR lost against Sweden in quarterfinal – 2:0. Still Voinov was included to the World Cup all-star team.
Twists of fate
In 1959 Yuriy Voinov became the first FC Dynamo Kyiv player, who was nominated for Ballon d'Or. In 1964 he finished his career and took charge of FC Chornomorets Odesa. He retired when he was 57. In 1996 Voinov became the Professional Football League of Ukraine head inspector. He passed away on April 22 2003 at the age of 71.
Defender Volodymyr Yerokhin won the Soviet Top League with FC Dynamo Kyiv in 1961. After he left the White-Blues he performed for FC Avanhard Ternopil for four seasons. He died on October 6 1996 at the age of 66.
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