Dnipro Break Losing Streak; Claim “All Thanks to Blogger”

By: Darcy | October 3rd, 2008

Well folks the title says it all. I put up the first Dnipro post late last night and just hours later they’ve managed a victory away to Arsenal Kyiv. That’s no coincidence if you ask me.

As for the game, the first half was a drab affair which I dearly wish I had slept through (as a sidenote, whoever decided that this game should be two hours earlier than originaly scheduled, should be shot for making me get up at 7:00 am local time to watch it). In the first twenty or so minutes Arsenal seemed to play a little bit better and managed to create one or two decent scoring oppurtunities, while Dnipro played considerably better for the last ten or so minutes.

Dnipro carried their play into the second half and managed to create one great chance from Nazarenko’s head, and one chance which went of the side of Andriy Rusol’s boot. Their efforts were rewarded however in the 51st minute, when Ruslan Rotan managed to tap in a close range effort after the Arsenal Keeper managed to save consecutive shots from Olexiy Belik and Vitaliy Denisov. Some reports are saying that Denisov actually scored. I’m not entirely sure, as the stream wasn’t of the highest quality and didn’t feature instant replay.

At that point Dnipro closed up shop and the gunners had difficulty creating much, their best two chances coming very late on, one from a corner that went in close, but passed through everyone, and the other chance came from a total blunder by Rusol, followed by a slight blunder by our other CB, Volodomyr Lysitskyi.

All in all, 1-0 is a great result away from home following several unproductive weeks.
Lineup for Dnipro was:
Dnipro: Startsev, Denisov, Rusol, Lysytskyi, Lolo (Davidson 67′), Rotan, Nazarenko, Pashaev, L’opa, Vorobey (Konoplyanka 90+3′), Belik

Man of the Match: Nazarenko, who made a couple of passes and made a sweet shot into the far low corner after Denisov/Rotan had scored, and before the Ref had signalled the goal. Also nearly scored right after the break with a swift header.

Girly Man of the Match: My boy Rusol, who completely shanked a good chance, and then made a horrible giveaway late in the game, before slipping on the grass trying to get back in the play. Thankfully though, Arsenal had no idea what to do with the ball at thier feet.

Also, I have to thank the people at Dnipropetrovsk’s own 9-Channel, who gave me the experience of actually attending Lobanovsky stadium, as their telecast felt less like a professional broadcast and more of a bootlegged version of “Arsenal vs. Dnipro”, complete with shoddy camerawork, someone’s hands right in front of the camera, and the announcer coming back a few minutes late from halftime. No commercials though.

Will post highlights if/when they’re up.