14 September 2006, by Sean Gillen

Carlos shines as Steaua crush Dynamo Kiev

Dynamo Kiev 1-4 Steaua Bucharest

Steaua Bucharest produced one of the outstanding performances of Round One of the Champions League Group Phase, hammering Dynamo Kiev 4-1 in the Ukraine. Portuguese goalkeeper Carlos played his part in what Steaua coach Cosmin Olaroiu called a “fantastic night for the club.”

Steaua are back in Europe’s premier club competition for the first time in ten years, and they took just three minutes to celebrate their return as Sorin Ghionea headed them in front.

Sergei Rebrov equalised for the home side just after the quarter-hour mark, but Valentin Badea’s diving header restored Steaua’s lead eight minutes later.

Badea’s goal was set up by the Romanian’s star man, Nicolae Dica, and the highly-rated forward extended his side’s lead two minutes before half time with a wonderfully taken free-kick.

Crucial Carlos save

Carlos was called to make several routine saves during the match, but the former Boavista goalkeeper produced an excellent stop at a crucial moment in the second half. Brazilian defender Rodolfo’s header looked goal-bound, until Carlos superbly tipped over the crossbar.

Dica put the seal on the win in the 79th minute as Steaua hit Kiev on the counter attack. The 26-year-old striker was left one-on-one with Kiev goalkeeper Alexander Shovkovsky, and Dica’s cheeky chipped finish was a fitting end to a memorable night for the Romanians.

After the match, Steaua boss Olaroiu was thrilled with his side: “It was a fantastic night for the club. We made our debut in the Champions League and were keen to give a good account of ourselves. We were looking to win but never expected to do so quite that convincingly.”

“I am delighted with my players; they overcame very strong opponents on their own pitch. We studied Dynamo carefully and how they play and my players were charged with the task of hindering their plan. And it worked. It was a bright night for us while for the hosts it will go down as a black night - but that happens in football.”

Things will get more difficult for Steaua, with a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Real Madrid in Round Two, before two matches with group leaders Lyon, but they go into the games full of confidence after a historic night in Kiev.

Dynamo Kiev:
Shovkovsky, Markovic (Moreno, 61), Da Rodrigo, Rodolfo, Nesmachny, Yussuf, Correa (Belkevich, 58), Rincon, Gusev, Shatskikh, Rebrov (Otalvaro, 73)
Yellow Cards: None

Steaua Bucharest:
Carlos, Goian, Saban, Ghionea, Nesu, Paraschiv, Lovin, Cristocea (Oprita, 74), Dica (Petre, 81), Nicolita, Badea (Thereau, 70)

Yellow Cards: Nesu (13), Carlos (27), Ghionea (73)

Goals:
[0-1] Ghionea, 3
[1-1] Rebrov, 16
[1-2] Badea, 24
[1-3] Dica, 43
[1-4] Dica, 79