Dynamo Kiev dominated Metalist Kharkiv in this all-Ukrainian UEFA Cup match but only came away with a one goal lead from the first-leg, according to Goal.com.
Ognjen Vukojevic was the man who got the crucial breakthrough when he headed home from a corner, but in truth Yuri Semin might be a little disappointed with this result.
Not only did his team control much of the game but they created the better chances and were it not for some good goalkeeping by Oleksandr Goryainov, would surely have a larger lead.
Metalist struggled for much of the game to break down the home side but did create a brilliant opportunity early on which Serhiy Valyayev blasted over the bar.
With a passionate home crowd behind them it was Dynamo who started off the stronger of the two sides as the visitors sat back, seemingly prepared to soak up the inevitable pressure. Whilst that didn`t really materialise in the first ten minutes it did soon come and both Oleksandr Aliev and Artem Kravets tested Goryainov from distance.
At the other end, the Dynamo defence had little to deal with for the most part, but were fortunate not to concede when Denys Oliynyk tricked his way into space down the right and cut across goal, only for Valyayev to blast over from close range.
That chance was just about the only one that Metalist would have the whole half, as Dynamo began to attack with intent and numbers. Goryainov was called on to make some fine saves to deny the home team but Kravets was guilty of missing a few decent opportunities as the half wore on.
The striker looked lively up front but when he finally got space, thanks to a ball over the top of the defence, he shot wide of goal. With minutes left before the break, Aliev hit a free-kick from distance that the Metalist `keeper had to palm behind as Dynamo continued to dominate the game.
There was no change after the interval either, as the home side pressed for the lead, and soon got it from a corner. Aliev was the man who delivered it and Vukojevic rose highest, heading against a defender and seeing the ball deflect into the far corner.
It was the perfect start to the half for Dynamo and they did not stop there as they continued to attack, not allowing Metalist time or space on the ball. Aliev very nearly scored from a corner that Goryainov had to palm away and Vukojevic forced the `keeper to make a decent stop from close range as well.
As the game wore on, the visitors did force Stanyslav Bogush to make a couple of saves but couldn`t really test him or the Dynamo defence properly. The home side continued to push as they looked for the all-important second goal and Artem Milevsky missed a great chance from eight yards out by shooting tamely at the goalkeeper.
