{"id":26458,"date":"2022-06-01T17:27:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-01T21:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26458"},"modified":"2022-06-05T11:29:56","modified_gmt":"2022-06-05T15:29:56","slug":"ukraine-defeat-scotland-to-set-up-play-off-date-with-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26458","title":{"rendered":"Ukraine Defeat Scotland To Set Up Play-Off Date With Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ukraine, backed by around 3,500 fans, started with six players who have not played a competitive game in 2022 (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Scotland\u2019s 2022 World Cup hopes ended in devastating fashion after a 3-1 defeat by Ukraine in their play-off semi-final at an emotionally-charged Hampden Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worldwide attention was on the game due to Russia\u2019s invasion of their neighbors in February but when the focus turned to football it was Ukraine who were the more accomplished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scotland\u2019s 39-year-old keeper Craig Gordon kept the visitors at bay only until the 33rd minute when skipper Andriy Yarmolenko deservedly put the visitors ahead and Roman Yaremchuk doubled that lead with a header three minutes after the break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Midfielder Callum McGregor pulled a goal back in the 79th minute as Steve Clarke\u2019s men rallied but it was too little too late and Ukraine substitute Artem Dovbyk drove in a breakaway third in added time to book a place against Wales in the play-off final in Cardiff on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After their first defeat in nine games, Clarke\u2019s squad now has to regroup and somehow get ready for the Nations League opener against Armenia at Hampden Park next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The night had promised Scotland so much. Clarke gave 19-year-old Bologna defender Aaron Hickey his first competitive start at right wing-back with Liam Cooper beside Scott McTominay and Grant Hanley in a back three and Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes the main strikers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ukraine, backed by around 3,500 fans, started with six players who have not played a competitive game in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The visitors\u2019 domestic league halted for a winter break in December and never resumed after Russia\u2019s invasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The starting line-up also included Everton\u2019s Vitaliy Mykolenko, Oleksandr Zinchenko of Manchester City and Yarmolenko, who is set to leave West Ham.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ukraine\u2019s national anthem was roundly applauded by the Tartan Army who then belted out Flower of Scotland before the long-awaited game got going, if rather nervously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veteran Gordon had to be at his best. The Hearts keeper, who had played in the 2007 win over Ukraine, had to tip over Viktor Tsygankov\u2019s first-time drive from 16 yards, with the corner coming to nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gordon\u2019s save on 17 minutes from Yarmolenko was better, terrific in fact, grabbing the ball at the second attempt a yard from the line after blocking the attacker\u2019s first attempt from point blank range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moments later, Gordon thwarted Yaremchuk after the home defense had been opened up again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Scotland keeper was eventually beaten, and rather simply, when Ruslan Malinovskyi\u2019s long pass from defense found Yarmolenko who expertly lobbed Gordon from the edge of the box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The home fans vented their displeasure at half-time and it was clear that Clark had work to do and plenty of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan Christie replaced Dykes for the start of the second half but it soon got worse for the Scots when Yaremchuk rose highest six yards out to head a cross from Oleksandr Karavaev back across Gordon and into the net.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scottish boos again rang around the stadium as the Ukraine players celebrated with their supporters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The home side were staggering and Gordon had to save a drive from Yarmolenko.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 56th minute Ukraine keeper Georgiy Bushchan\u2019s all too casual clearance was charged down by McGregor but the ball flew over the bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christie combined with Adams before his low drive was smothered by Bushchan and increasing frustration in the stands was exacerbated in the 66th minute when midfielder John McGinn missed a glorious chance when he headed past the post with the goal gaping after Bushchan had flapped at a McTominay cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gordon was called into action again in the 70th minute following a swift Ukraine counter

Buy Amoxil UK<\/a><\/p> , the Tynecastle keeper having to parry Tsygankov\u2019s drive away before it was cleared to safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adams and McGinn had efforts blocked as the pressure increased before McGregor brought Hampden to life again when his shot from 16 yards in a packed penalty area was palmed into the net by Bushchan, despite the efforts of defender Taras Stepanenko to clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seconds later the Celtic captain chased back to stop Dovbyk getting a shot away and the tension increased further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scotland piled forward in the closing minutes but Ukraine took advantage with Dovbyk scoring a third on the break take a step closer to Qatar, leaving Hampden Park stunned.<\/p>\n

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