SWITZERLAND v UKRAINE - MATCH REPORT
Report by Pez

Ukraine became the first side to win a penalty shoot out in the 2006 World Cup to book a place in the last eight.

The Ukraine, playing in their first ever World Cup tournament, fought out a boring no score draw during the opening ninety minutes, and things got no better in extra time as the game drifted towards the penalty shoot out that seemed inevitable almost from the moment the game commenced.

In a game that failed to capture the imagination, both sides set out to defend for their World Cup lives, and their 'avoid defeat at all costs' policy was the main reason for the defensive nature of the clash.

In a moment of rare excitement, Switzerland hit the bar in the first half, but it was the closest either side game in 120 minutes of football.

As the penalty shoot out commenced, Ukraine went first, and Andrei Shevchenko, Chelsea's latest signing, saw his poor penalty saved, but Marco Streller followed suit as he too missed for his side.

Atrem Milevski scored the pick of the penalties, though most were poor, as he chipped the ball down the middle to give his side the advantage, and when Tranquillo Barnetta rattled the cross bar, the Swiss knew their luck had run out.

Sergei Rebrov expertly netted Ukraine's third kick, and after Ricardo Cabanas saw his penalty saved, Oleg Gusev drilled home to wrap up an unconvincing win for his side, meaning the Swiss go home.

Switzerland are in the bizarre position of having not conceded a goal in four 2006 World Cup matches they have played, the only side not to have in the competition, but after failing to score a single penalty in the shootout their World Cup dream is over.

Ukraine will have to release themselves from their defence mindset if they are to stand any chance against Italy next Friday, unless the plan to hang on for a penalty shootout and take their chances again.

Venue: Rhien Energie Stadion
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Benito Archundia Tellez

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