World Cup 2006 Preview – Ukraine
Outright Odds: 66/1
Group H Winners: 12/5
This might be the Ukraines first sizeable event they've certified for considering that narrowly lacking out anytime following their independence in 1991. This time there was no messing approximately and they grew to become the 1st European side to qualify for the finals, bar hosts Germany cc6 music festival of direction.
They suffered one defeat in 12 fits, at dwelling to Turkey, however total received a complex institution which additionally featured European champions Greece and perennial qualifiers Denmark conveniently.
The Ukraine are managed by means of Oleg Blokhin, the 1975 European Footballer of the Year and USSR stalwart which saw him acquire 109 caps and score 39 targets within the manner. His strategies utilise the capabilities of Andrey Shevchenko however, greater importantly, do now not have to base each attack across the AC Milan forward as Blokhin prefers to apply a four-three-3 formation.
Shevchenko spearheads the assault admirably, with 28 aims in sixty three international appearances, yet he's capably backed up via Bayer Leverkusens Andrey Voronin and Shaktar Donetsks Andriy Vorobey who make up a devastating 3-pronged assault.
The staff do not simply rely on Shevchenkos objectives. Like fellow qualifiers Serbia & Montenegro and Croatia, Ukraines good fortune used to be additionally developed round a sturdy defence which stored six blank sheets in a row which saw as many consecutive wins from October 2004 to June 2005.
Dinamo Kiev goalkeeper Alexandr Shovkoskiy can place confidence in his returned four of workforce-mate Andriy Nesmachny, Shaktars Anatoliy Tymoshyuk and Dnipro pair Andrey Rusol and Vladimir Yezerski.
Ukraine supporters are confident approximately their percentages, drawing parallels with the positive Croatia facet of 1998 which carried out 3rd. They are gifted adequate and underestimation may perhaps prove highly-priced to greater trendy rivals. Manager Blokhin has promised a semi-final look in order to make a mockery of their sixty six/1 (Coral) odds.
Recommended Bet
Forget Spain, the Ukraine may very well be the real dark horses for the World Cup. They pushed aside great opposition for the period of the qualification manner and are precise worth to win Group H at odds more than 2/1. Lets now not forget approximately Andrey Shevchenko either and the AC Milan striker may well mark his debut on the sector degree as a specific Golden Boot contender.
Ukraine to win Group H @ 12/5
E/W Andrey Shevchenko as accurate goalscorer @ 22/1