Dynamo Kiev 2-0 AZ: Report

04 November 2010 22:48
Artem Milevskiy was the hero as Dynamo Kiev gave their hopes of reaching the last 32 of the Europa League a huge lift thanks to a convincing 2-0 victory over lacklustre AZ Alkmaar.

Milevskiy scored in the 2-1 victory over AZ in Holland last time out and was once again the scourge of Gertjan Verbeek's men with a goal in either half tonight which moves the Ukrainian side four points clear in second place in Group E.

AZ's third loss in four games leaves their hopes of reaching the knockout phase hanging by a thread, and they will need to win their final two games to have any chance of progressing alongside group winners BATE Borisov, who defeated FC Sheriff in the night's other Group E game.

Dynamo shaded a rather listless first period, with AZ goalkeeper Sergio Romero kept more occupied than his opposite number Maksym Koval.

Romero's first intervention arrived on eight minutes when Ognjen Vukojevic unleashed an effort from inside the area that drew a smart parry.

AZ's best chance of the half came 10 minutes later when Maarten Martens' drilled effort brought the best out of Koval, but that was as good as it got for the Dutch visitors in a cagey opening half.

The in-form Milevskiy, who scored four goals as Dynamo thrashed Illichevets Mariupol 9-0 in the Ukrainian Premier League on Sunday, looked the man most likely to make the breakthrough as the half wore on and went close after 21 minutes, his shot bringing another stop from Romero.

And the Ukraine international went close again before the interval, his right-footed effort deflected to safety by Hector Moreno's last-ditch block.

The match quickly sparked into life at the start of the second half, however, Milevskiy continuing his good form with a low finish from inside the six-yard box.

The hosts doubled their advantage just after the hour mark when Roman Eremenko sent over an inviting cross from the left wing which the alert Milevskiy tucked home with confidence from close range.

Milevskiy went close to completing his hat-trick with 19 minutes remaining with a low shot that just went the wrong side of the upright.

Milos Ninkovic, Oleg Gusev and Milevskiy once more came close to adding to the scoring as Dynamo rammed home their superiority in the final minutes, but Romero denied all three to ensure the final scoreline retained an air of respectability.

Source: DSG