Ukraine revive hopes with rain-soaked win over Kosovo
Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Kosovo vs Ukraine - Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder, Albania - October 6, 2017 Ukraine's Andriy Yarmolenko celebrates with team mates after scoring their second goal REUTERS/Florion Goga
TIRANA (Reuters) - Ukraine revived their World Cup qualifying hopes and set up a pivotal tie with Croatia when they defied rain-soaked conditions to win 2-0 away to bottom side Kosovo in their World Cup qualifier on Friday.
An own goal from Leart Paqarada on the hour set Ukraine on the way in the Group I match before Andriy Yarmolenko sealed their win to put them level on 17 points with second-placed Croatia, who were surprisingly held 1-1 at home by Finland.
With leaders Iceland (19 points) hosting Kosovo on Monday and set to top the group, Ukraine's meeting with Croatia in Kiev is likely to decide who earns second place and a possible spot in the European playoff round.
Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Kosovo vs Ukraine - Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder, Albania - October 6, 2017 Kosovo’s Mergim Vojvoda clashes with Ukraine's Ivan Ordets REUTERS/Florion Goga
The match was played in the Albanian city of Shkoder as Kosovo do not yet have any stadiums considered fit for World Cup qualifiers.
It was a laboured performance from Ukraine although it might have been easier if Yevhen Konoplyanka's first-half solo effort had gone in rather than striking the woodwork.
A disciplined Kosovo did well to frustrate the visitors until Konoplyanka crossed to the far post and the hapless Paqarada turned the ball into his own net.
Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Kosovo vs Ukraine - Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder, Albania - October 6, 2017 Ukraine coach Andriy Shevchenko celebrates after the match REUTERS/Florion Goga
Yarmolenko wrapped things up with en emphatic finish three minutes from the end.
The winners of the nine European groups qualify directly for Russia next year and the best eight runners-up play off for four more places.
Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Kosovo vs Ukraine - Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder, Albania - October 6, 2017 Ukraine's Ruslan Rotan celebrates with Mykola Matvyenko and Denys Garmash after the match REUTERS/Florion Goga
(Writing by Brian Homewood in Berne; Editing by Toby Davis)
Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Kosovo vs Ukraine - Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder, Albania - October 6, 2017 Ukraine's Andriy Pyatov applauds the fans as he celebrates after the match REUTERS/Florion GogaSoccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Kosovo vs Ukraine - Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder, Albania - October 6, 2017 Kosovo’s Bersant Celina in action with Ukraine's Andriy Yarmolenko REUTERS/Florion GogaSoccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Kosovo vs Ukraine - Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder, Albania - October 6, 2017 Ukraine coach Andriy Shevchenko with Andriy Yarmolenko and Mykola Matvyenko after the match REUTERS/Florion GogaSoccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Kosovo vs Ukraine - Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder, Albania - October 6, 2017 Ukraine coach Andriy Shevchenko celebrates with Marlos after the match REUTERS/Florion GogaSoccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Kosovo vs Ukraine - Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder, Albania - October 6, 2017 Ukraine coach Andriy Shevchenko REUTERS/Florion Goga
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