Making a Meal of it






Before last night's game with Drogheda United, Dynamo were already confident that they would be in the next round and playing against Spartak. They were 2-1 up from the tie in Ireland and had no fear of the Irish team. Last night, however showed that they had everything to fear and the style of play that they have recently adopted and I have criticised before can leave them vulnerable as they are pretty easy to hit on the break. They also have too many long range shots, which occassionaly lead to goals, but more concentration might see them putting games beyond doubt instead of keeping their opponents in it up until the last minute.

Last night Dynamo started off brightly with Oleksandr Aliev putting them ahead with a goal from outside the area (where else?) and a few minutes later he also hit the post. Bangoura also had a few good chances, but he still doesn't seem to have found his scoring boots this season. Nevertheless, Dynamo's lead was cancelled out on 42 minutes when El Kaddouri fouled Adam Hughes in the box and Shane Robinson went on to convert the penalty. So at half time it was 1-1 and the natives were restless.

The second half saw Dynamo dominating for long periods, with their best chance coming when a Ghioane shot from a free kick hit the crossbar. On the 73rd minute Dynamo finally got the breakthrough they were looking for when Betao was fouled and Artem Milevskiy converted from the spot.

Cue Mexican waves and screaming kids ( including my 2), but that wasn't the end of it. The 77th minute introduction of Ilyane Thiam by the boys from Louth seemed inspired. He caused an aerial threat to Diakhate which instantly put him under pressure, although he had been solid throughout the game and suddenly Drogheda started to believe again. They really started to believe in the 88th minute when Lutsenko, who was standing in for Shovkovskiy in the Dynamo net let Graham Gartland score with a soft header from a free kick.

The last 2 minutes were frantic, as Drogheda piled on the pressure to get the goal that would send them to Moscow at Dynamo's expense and both Adam Hughes and Shane Robinson came very close to providing the winner, but it wasn't to be. The final score was 2-2 and Dynamo progress. A great game with a great atmosphere.

Notes on photos from top to bottom:
Drogheda fans keeping the dream alive.
Dynamo fans with a play on words, the banner reads 'Na Myaskvu', which means to Moscow, but is spelled wrongly to include the word meat - the derogatory nickname of Spartak.
Dynamo clear a drogheda attack.
Ewing, the Drogheda goalkeeper clears a Dynamo attack.
The free kick which led to Drogheda's 88th minute goal

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