Things are getting more and more dramatic in the Mahindra & Mahindra Sait Nagjee international football tournament as two goals came in the injury time.
Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, which struck those cruel blows against Argentina u-23 at the Corporation Stadium on Friday, has moved into the top of group-B, with six points from this match, and inched closer to what would be a well-deserved place in the semifinals.
The Ukrainians haven’t conceded a goal yet, even as they posted two wins from as many games. They have been mighty impressive in this competition.
Chances wasted
Argentina, which has a big following in this region, is virtually on its way out; it hasn’t got a point, nor has it scored a goal yet. It got several opportunities to score on this night, though.They wasted all those chances. As did Dnipro, till those dramatic last few minutes.
The match had been heading for a draw as both the teams attacked relentlessly and there was good defending and goalkeeping. There were quite a few scuffles too, but it was the quality of football the good gathering would remember more.
The crowd will not forget the injury time of this match in a hurry.
In the opening minute of it, the Ukrainians broke the deadlock through Yuri Vakulko; he was alert enough to convert the chance, following a free-kick from just outside the box that rebounded.
A shocked Argentina, which had played much of the opening half with great speed and skills though there was not enough cohesion up front, tried to hit back immediately.
Most of its players were in the rival half when substitute Vitaly Kiryeyev made it 2-0 on a counter-attack; he had all the space as well the time to beat the hapless Argentine custodian Facundo Ferrero, who almost had a great night.
The result: Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 2 (Yuri Vakulko 90+1, Vitaly Kiryeyev 90+4) bt Argentina u-23 0.
