Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Greece clinch place at World Cup

Greece goalscorer Dimitris Salpigidis
Greece reached their first major finals since Euro 2004

Dimitris Salpigidis scored the only goal as Greece defeated Ukraine in Donetsk to seal their place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Salpigidis slotted home after a precise through ball from Giorgios Samaras to seal Greece's first appearance at the World Cup finals since 1994.

Ukraine failed to convert several excellent chances to equalise.

The two teams had contested a goalless draw in the first leg of their play-off in Athens on Saturday.

Greece's last appearance in a major finals was at Euro 2004, a tournament that the rank outsiders won.

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They might have fallen behind in Ukraine but former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko shot over the crossbar when it seemed easier to score.

Samaras headed wide from a Giorgos Karagounis free-kick for the visiting team before Oleksandr saw a free-kick saved by Greek goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas.

The see-saw opening continued when Salpigidis miskicked with only the keeper to beat but he atoned for the miss with his goal, slotting a low shot beyond Andriy Piatov and into the bottom corner.

Ukraine needed to score twice to win the tie and dominated most of the second half.

But Greece's Panathinaikos keeper Tzorvas denied Aliev, Shevchenko and Yevgev Seleznov while Anatoliy Tymoshchuk missed from 18 yards.

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