1 November 2006, by Sean Gillen

Dogged Valencia ensure qualification in Ukraine

Shakhtar Donetsk 2-2 Valencia

Valencia qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League after scraping a draw against an impressive Shakhtar Donetsk in the Ukraine. The Spaniards twice had to come from behind, and ultimately had veteran defender Roberto Ayala to thank for salvaging a point in a game they could easily have lost.

Miguel played the full 90 minutes for Valencia and Hugo Viana continued his greater first-team involvement of recent matches, coming on as a second-half substitute.

The hosts started brightly and took the lead after just two minutes. Brazilian forward Jadson curled home a stunning 20 metre free-kick with his right foot to give the Ukrainian champions a dream start.

Nigerian forward Julius Aghahowa was causing the visitors problems with his pace, and he provided Brazilian Matuzalem with an excellent opportunity, only for the midfielder to strike the post. Valencia goalkeeper Santiago Canizares then denied Aghahowa as Shakhtar threatened to double their advantage in the early stages.

Valencia got a somewhat undeserved equalised shortly before the 20-minute mark through striker Fernando Morientes. David Villa hit a 20-metre free-kick with power, and poacher Morientes managed to stick out a boot to deflect the ball past Bogdan Shust.

Shakhtar were back in the lead ten minutes later, and it was another Brazilian, Fernandinho, with another special goal. The 21-year-old, who is one of Shakhtar’s record signings, hit a superb swerving shot from all of 25 metres, which Canizares got a hand to but could not stop.

Aghahowa should have increased his side’s winning margin with a good headed chance, but Valencia got their second equaliser through Argentine defender Ayala. Morientes flicked a corner on, and Ayala’s excellently executed diving header levelled the scoreline at two apiece.

The result means that Valencia remain three points clear of second place Roma. Next up for Los Ches is a home match with Greek side Olympiakos, after which they travel to Rome.

Quiqe Sanchez Flores, Valencia coach:

“A draw is a fair result. In the first half, Shakhtar played more interesting football and were stronger, but we came back into the match after the break and avoided defeat.”

“The opponent was more aggressive today mostly because it was Shakhtar’s last chance to have a shot at the knockout rounds. If they played in the second half like they did in the first, we would have ended up losing. David Navarro has a broken nose.”

Mircea Lucescu, Shakhtar coach:

“A match we should have won by three or four goals ended in a draw. I am very disappointed because today we played good football and looked quite strong in attack. However, we gave a lot of unnecessary gifts to our opponents. We gave them too much freedom in both cases when they scored their goals.

“It is irresponsible and totally unacceptable to play like this at Champions League level. We were punished for this, and it’s our mistakes that meant we didn’t win today.”

Shakhtar Donetsk:
Shust, Chigrinski, Hubschman, Rat, Lewandowski, Srna, Matuzalem, Jadson, Fernandihno (Duljaj, 89), Aghahowa, Brandao (Marica, 75)
Yellow Cards: Brandao (47), Hubschman (54), Srna (66), Lewandowski (76), Matuzalem (84)

Valencia:
Canizares, Miguel, Moretti, Navarro (Viana, 87), Ayala, Albiol, Edu, Silva, Angulo, Morientes (Joaquin, 76), Villa (Regueiro, 91)
Yellow Cards: Villa (56), Angulo (91)

Goals:
[1-0] Jadson, 2
[1-1] Morientes, 18
[2-1] Fernandinho, 28
[2-2] Ayala, 68