That happened because of the strange decision to start the game at 17:00. The majority of people probably didn’t want to watch the game at the stadium as the temperature was about 35 degrees above zero.
The White-Blues took the field with mourning bands in memory of Dynamo legendary halfback Valentyn Belkevych, who passed away the day before the match.
Comparing with the last game Serhiy Rebrov made only one substitution in the starting lineup. Vladyslav Kalytvyntsev featured instead of Oleh Husiev.
Kyivans were the first to take the game under control. They attacked more than home side.
14 minutes into the game Bezus found Belhanda in the penalty area with a straight pass, Younes put a low cross to Kravets and Artem scored his first goal of the season.
Rakhayev’s men tried to seize the initiative, but they had problems with team play and individual skills of Azevedo and Xavier weren’t enough.
A minute before the break referee Zhabchenko awarded penalty for Dynamo and Yarmolenko converted from the spot.
In the second half Serhiy Sydorchuk took the place of centre back Aleksandar Dragovic, who picked up an injury.
The White-Blues kept controlling the game, but 60minutes into the match referee awarded penalty for Metalist and Xavier hit the target.
Within half an hour left till the final whistle there was everything: pressure from Metalist, two great Dynamo counterattacks which didn’t result in goals and red card for Serhiy Rybalka.
Anyway Serhiy Rebrov’s men have won this difficult game.
2014/15 UPL. Matchday 2
02.08.2014. Kharkiv. Metalist Stadium. 17,624 spectators
FC Metalist Kharkiv – FC Dynamo Kyiv – 1:2 (0:2)
Metalist: Dišljenković, Villagra, Torsiglieri (Torres, 67), Yussuf, Pshenychnykh, Edmar (c), Krasnopiorov (Rebenok, 76), Kulakov, Azevedo, Xavier, Homeniuk (Jaja Coelho, 53).
Dynamo: Shovkovskyi (c), Silva, Vida, Dragovic (Sydorchuk, 46), Makarenko, Kalytvyntsev, Bezus (Harmash, 63), Belhanda (Selin, 82), Rybalka, Yarmolenko, Kravets.
Goals: Xavier (60, pen.) – Kravets (14, assist – Belhanda), Yarmolenko (44, pen.).
Yellow cards: Villagra (85) – Rybalka (27), Shovkovskyi (60), Belhanda (68), Harmash (78).
Red card: Rybalka (85, second booking).
Copyright © 2014 FC Dynamo Kyiv
* photos by A. Lukatskyi
