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2 October 2007, by Tom Kundert

Polga goal and Stojkovic heroics earn Sporting victory

Dynamo Kiev 1-2 Sporting

Sporting got themselves right back into the mix for qualification to the next round of the Champions League with a battling victory in the Ukrainian capital tonight. First-half goals from centre-back pair Tonel and Polga – the latter’s first goal in five seasons at the Lisbon club – sandwiching a Vaschuk strike saw the Lions to a welcome win.

But it required two superb saves from Serbian international goalkeeper Stojkovic to guarantee the three precious points for the Portuguese club, after Paulo Bento’s team had missed several opportunities to kill the match.

After a cagey opening spell Sporting took the lead from practically their first chance in somewhat fortunate circumstances. A short corner routine ended with Ronny whipping in a cross that goalkeeper Shovkovkiy only managed to punch into the onrushing Tonel, who was delighted to see the ball ricochet into the net.

Nervy defending

In spite of the early goal Sporting’s usually miserly defence showed uncharacteristically poor concentration to almost allow a quick equaliser. Miguel Veloso and Tonel both lost the ball in dangerous positions and were relieved to see the Ukrainian forwards spurn the gifts.

And the home fans were celebrating an equaliser when more poor defending left Vaschuk completely unmarked 10 metres from goal, and he made no mistake to rifle the ball past Stojkovic.

Ten minutes later Sporting regained the lead. Ronny produced a fine run and cross on left flank, which the keeper parried to the edge of the box where Polga collected the ball and guided a low shot into the net. The Brazilian has been consistently outstanding at the heart of Sporting’s defence over recent seasons, but he was long overdue a goal at the other end of the pitch.

An open first half produced two more near misses as first Milevskiy shot into the side-netting for the hosts, before Liedson capitalised on a mistake to rob the ball on the edge of the box and force Shovkovskiy into a sharp save.

The start of the second half began with a golden chance for Sporting to score a third. Liedson was again lurking as Mikhalyk, under no pressure, lost control of the ball and the Brazilian fed Djalo for a one-on-one against the goalkeeper. Shovkovskiy proved up to the task to keep the young striker’s shot out.

Stojkovic shines

On 62 minutes Stojkovic made the first of two outstanding saves as El Kaddouri picked up a loose Miguel Veloso clearance and appeared set to score before the Serb dived low to his right to touch the ball round the post.

Stojkovic produced another fabulous stop soon afterwards as a deflected cross zipped towards the unguarded net, only for the goalkeeper to dive backwards and scoop the ball off the line.

In stoppage time Rincon blasted the home team’s final chance over the bar. The result sees Sporting draw level on points with Roma before the double header against the Italians, with the first match in Rome in three weeks time.

Dynamo Kiev:
Shovkovskiy, Vaschuk, Mikhalyk, Gavrancic, Ghioane (Gusev, 56), El Kaddouri, Correa, Yussuf, Diogo Rincon, Shatskikh, Milevskiy (Kleber, 58)
Yellow Cards: Correa (55), Mikhalyk (62), Kleber (85)

Sporting:
Stojkovic, Abel, Polga, Tonel, Ronny, Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Vukcevic (Izmailov, 68), Romagnoli (Paredes, 77), Liedson, Yannick (Gladstone, 92)
Yellow Cards: Polga (21), Vukcevic (64)

Goals:
[0-1] Tonel, 14
[1-1] Vaschuk, 29
[1-2] Polga, 38