Ukrainian champions Dynamo Kiev held their lead in the European Champions’ League qualifying Group B with a 2-0 win over Italian Serie A side AS Roma on the snow-covered turf at the Olympic Arena in Kiev on Tuesday.
An own goal from Roma defender Traianos Dellas and a late strike from substitute Maxim Shatskikh handed victory to the home side, who have now collected 10 points from five matches, two points ahead of Bayern Leverkusen and Real Madrid who fought out a 1-1 draw in Spain.
Roma stay stuck to the bottom of the group with just one point.
Dynamo’s Brazilian midfielder Diogo Rincon got the first shot at goal on a slippery pitch sending the ball just wide with a header following a well-served corner nine minutes into the match.
The visitors replied with a series of attacks but failed to create any serious threat, ending their attacking efforts with a set of offsides.
Another Dynamo Brazilian player Kleber and Goran Gavrancic also missed their chances to open their account, while Roma’s halfback Alberto Aquilani failed to find the net with an overhead shot just before the break.
After the interval Dynamo still dominated play but the guests defended stoutly.
Maris Verpakovskis and Oleg Gusev managed to create clear opportunities, both shooting from close range in the 63rd minute, forcing Roma ‘keeper Ivan Pellizzoli into a pair of remarkable saves to keep his net clean.
However, he was unable to prevent an own goal from Dellas, who swept the ball into his own net in attempt to clear Tiberiu Ghioane’s right-handed cross with 17 minutes remaining.
Second-half substitute Shatskikh fired in from close range from Rincon’s cross nine minutes later to secure Dynamo’s well-deserved win after Giuseppe Scurto was sent off for his second bookable offence. – Sapa-AFP