Ukraine silence critics after opening game humbling

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COLOGNE, June 27: Ukraine said that by reaching the World Cup quarter-finals their dreams have come true and they have silenced their critics.

The team knocked out Switzerland yesterday after winning a penalty shootout 3-0 after their drab match finished goalless following extra time in Cologne and will now face Italy on Friday in Hamburg.

Before the tournament Ukraine set themselves the target of qualifying from their group, a respectable achievement for first-timers and more than some established teams have managed.

Viewed by many as dark horses because of their excellent qualifying campaign that enabled them to be the first European team to book their place at the finals, a sometimes uninspiring showing in the group stage here threw this into question.

A 4-0 opening match humbling by Spain did not help even if they did bounce back with a similar demolition of the Ukraine.

''Some people didn't believe in our team, they considered us debutants incapable of playing football,'' coach Oleg Blokhin told reporters after the game.

They admit they have not been playing the prettiest of football. Both Monday's second-round game and the final group game against Tunisia (1-0) were tense affairs where passing moves were disjointed and littered with mistakes.

However, they have made it to the last eight, and that is what counts.

''We play for results,'' said Blokhin, ''We have fought so hard and come so far that it's like a dream come true for us.'' They will go into the match against Italy as the overwhelming underdogs and they know it will be hard to create an upset.

''The Italians are a tough team, particularly strong at the back. It will be difficult to create chances against them,'' said Blokhin.

But if anyone has a strong striking weapon, it is the Ukrainians.

Former European Footballer of the Year Andriy Shevchenko has yet to show his best at the tournament, but a match against many of his former Serie A colleagues could be just what he needs to regain his form.

The ex-AC Milan striker, recently bought by Chelsea for 30 million pounds ( million), has been recovering from injury, but Blokhin said he was getting better and better.

Reuters