The match vs. Drogheda United started with the minute's silence to express condolences to the people of Ukraine who lost relatives in the horrendous flooding in Western Ukraine.
As for the game, the second qualifying round first-leg match of the UEFA Champions League 2008/2009 against FC Drogheda United became a real test for FC Dynamo Kyiv. The football club from Dublin bravely withstood Dynamo’s pressure throughout the game. However, the White-Blues managed to defeat the Irish champion 1-2.
Dynamo took the lead in the 23rd minute when Taras Mykhalyk kicked the goal from the close distance. During the first half Dynamo controlled the ball on the pitch and had a great number of opportunities to double the lead but their realization of scoring chances leaves much to be desired.
Drogheda United succeeded to equalize at the start of the second half through Adam Hughes who headed Kudozovic's cross. Kyivers recommenced attacks getting closer and closer to the opposite net but failed to strike a resulting blow. Almost every Dynamo's forward had chances to hit the target but only Oleksandr Aliyev managed to score a victory goal for Dynamo Kyiv. Skillfully overcoming several Drogheda's defenders Oleksandr shot the ball in the near corner. Anyway, Irish goalkeeper couldn’t prevent Aliyev's 86th-minute strike. The struggle will continue in Kyiv next week.
The UEFA Champions League 2008/2009. Second qualifying round. First leg
DROGHEDA – DYNAMO – 1:2 (0:1)
Dublin, Dalymount Park.
Attendance: 5000
Kick-off: 21:45 (Kyiv time)
Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen (Norway)
Assistant referees: Odd-Jarle Larsen, Dag-Roger Nebben (Norway)
Drogheda: 30.Ewings, 3.Kendrick, 6.Gartland, 8.Hughes, 11.Baker (9.O'Brien, 90), 16.Byrne, 17.Zayed, 18.Keegan (14. Shelly, 71), 21.Maher, 26.Cahill, 31.Kudozovic (24.Barrett, 62).
Dynamo: 1.Shovkovskyy, 3.Betão, 15.Diakhaté, 17.Mykhalyk, 26.Nesmachnyy, 4.Ghioane (16.Shatskikh, 80), 5.Vukojević, 8.Aliyev, 36.Ninković, 10.Bangoura (22.Kravets, 61), 25.Milevskyy (30.El Kaddouri, 89).
Goals: Hughes (47) – Mykhalyk (23), Aliyev (86).
Booked: Maher (27) – Milevskyy (83).
www.fcdynamo.kiev.ua
