On September 18 2003 at the press conference the Football Federation of Ukraine president of that time Hryhoriy Surkis presented the new coach Oleh Blokhin, who stated that he would lead Ukraine to the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals.
Those words caused a lot of skeptical responses among media, specialists and supporters. On October 11 2003 Blokhin started his “way to the dream” with a friendly against Macedonia. Still at first the Yellow-Blues results didn’t give reasons for optimism.
First for the first time
Ukraine started the qualifying campaign on September 4 2004 with away fixture against Denmark (1:1). Four FC Dynamo Kyiv players performed in that game – Olexandr Shovkovskyi, Andriy Nesmachnyi, Andriy Husin and Oleh Husiev. Husin netted the equalizer in the second half.
Several days later Blokhin’s men defeated Kazakhstan away (2:1). In the following matchday Ukraine drew against Greece (1:1) and later won against Georgia (2:0).
The key match of qualification took place on November 17 2004 inIstanbul. Ukrainians were victorious over Turkey (3:0) due to Oleh Husiev’s goal and brace by Andriy Shevchenko. Kyivans Shovkovskyi, Fedorov, Nesmachnyi, Husin and Husiev were among first eleven. Yuriy Dmytrulin made a substitute appearance.
The year 2005 started for Ukraine with victories against Albania (2:0), Denmark (1:0) and Kazakhstan (2:0).
Special attention should be paid to Ukraine match in Athens. Blokhin’s men won the game by one goal to nil. Andriy Husin netted the decider 82 minutes into the match.
In September Ukraine drew against Georgia in Tbilisi (1:1) and at first it seemed that automatic qualification for the World Cup finals was postponed, but as Denmark also played in a draw against Turkey and the Yellow-Blues went through to the world contest.
Oleh Blokhin kept his promise and became the first coach, who led Ukraine to the FIFA World Cup.
Nine Dynamo performers took part in that qualification: Olexandr Shovkovskyi (12 appearances), Andriy Nesmachnyi (11), Oleh Husiev (11), Serhiy Fedorov (7), Ruslan Rotan (7), Andriy Husin (6), Serhiy Rebrov (1), Yuriy Dmytrulin (1) and Vladyslav Vashchuk (1).
Shovkovskyi’s feat and historic achievement
It was expected that eight Kyivans would be on the players’ list at the World Cup: Olexandr Shovkovskyi, Andriy Nesmachnyi, Serhiy Fedorov, Vladyslav Vashchuk, Oleh Husiev, Serhiy Rebrov and Ruslan Rotan. Young Artem Milevskyi also joined the team.
As Fedorov picked up an injury Dynamo trainee Olexandr Yatsenko took his place.
Eventually Ukraine became one of eight best teams of the world at that contest.
Still the first pancake was a failure for Blokhin’s men. On June 14 2006 they were defeated by Spain – 0:4.
Five Dynamo players were in the starting lineup – Shovkovskyi, Nesmachnyi, Vashchuk, Husiev and Rotan. Rebrov took the field after the break.
The second group stage fixture became historic for our team. On June 19 Ukrainians won the first match within the World Cup finals. They were victorious over Saudi Arabia – 4:0.
Rebrov netted a fabulous goal in that game and Artem Milevskyi made his debut for the national team.
On June 23 Ukraine faced Tunisia in Berlin. Shovkovskyi, Nesmachnyi, Husiev, Rebrov and Milevskyi took the field again. The only goal of the match was scored by Andriy Shevchenko from the spot.
Thus Ukraine went through to the round of 16.
That’s when our team opposed group G winners Switzerland. The match took place on June 26 inCologne. Regular time and extra-time ended in a goalless draw. Shovkovskyi, Vashchuk, Husiev and Nesmachnyi were among first eleven. Rotan, Rebrov and Milevskyi made substitute appearances.
Artem netted Ukraine first goal in the penalty shootout. Rebrov and Husiev also hit the target.
Still the true hero was Shovkovskyi. He became the first goalkeeper ever, who didn’t concede a single goal in penalty shootout at the World Cup!
Oleh Husiev’s decisive shot took Ukrainians to the quarterfinal.
On June 30 Shovkovskyi, Husiev, Nesmachnyi, Vashchuk and Milevskyi featured against Italy in Hamburg.
Oleh Blokhin’s men were defeated– 3:0…
Still Ukraine effort was considered to be a success. All players became the Order for Courage of the Third Class chevaliers. Hryhoriy Surkis and coaching staff also got different state awards.
Dynamo foreign players at the 2006 World Cup
Two more performers represented FC Dynamo Kyiv at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Goran Gavrančić featured for Serbia and Montenegro and Jerko Leko – for Croatia.
Twists of fate
The 2006 World Cup was the first one for three Dynamo players. As for other Kyivans, we have already mentioned them telling about the 1998 and 2002 world contest qualifiers.
Oleh Husiev and Ruslan Rotan were called-up to the national team in 2003 for the first time. They are the only players from that squad, who keep featuring for Ukraine and their clubs.
31-year-old Husiev is FC Dynamo Kyiv vice-captain and 32-year-old Rotan is FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk skipper.
Artem Milevskyi made his debut for the Yellow-Blues at the 2006 World Cup. Later he became one of Dynamo leaders and even was the team captain.
In 2013 Artem left for Turkey and joined Gaziantepspor, but soon he left the club. At the moment 29-year old forward is a free agent.
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