KIEV -- Ukraine dropped vital World Cup
qualifying points when a late Mark Pembridge equaliser gave
Wales a 1-1 draw in their group five match on Wednesday.
Ukraine had wanted a win to stay in contention for the
runners-up spot in the group, but they failed to add to the 1-0
lead created by Hennady Zubov after 44 minutes.
With neither side creating many chances, the 80th-minute
equaliser seemed to come from nowhere as the Everton midfielder
sent a shot through the Ukrainian defence and past a surprised
and immobile Olexander Shovkovsky.
AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko had several late chances
to grab the win, but Wales keeper Paul Jones managed to keep him
out.
Manchester United's Ryan Giggs almost gave Wales victory
with a shot in extra time, but Shovkovsky managed to get his
outstreched leg to the ball and push it wide.
The result gave Ukraine 10 points in the group a point
behind Belarus, who were to play Norway later on Wednesday.
Group leaders Poland also dropped points after a 1-1 draw
with Armenia in a Yerevan earlier, but remained on top of the
group on 17 points.
Belarus held 1-1 by Norway
OSLO -- An 80th minute goal from Valencia
striker John Carew goal gave Norway a 1-1 draw against Belarus
in a World Cup group five qualifier on Wednesday.
Norway dominated the match and had several chances early on
but it was Belarus who opened the scoring through Valentin
Belkevich, who, uncontested, rifled a shot into the home team's
net from about 18 metres in the 23rd minute.
Norway's equaliser came when Carew followed up to head home
after Erik Nevland's attempt on goal was stymied.
Belarus keeper Gennady Tumilovich was sent off immediately
after the Norwegian goal for protesting too vociferously to the
referee.
The result leaves positions unchanged in group five, in
which all three ties on Wednesday finished 1-1. Belarus remain
in second place on 12, six points behind Poland. Norway are
second from bottom on four points.
Armenia hold Poland to 1-1 draw
YEREVAN -- Armenia held group five leaders
Poland to a 1-1 draw in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday,
despite finishing the game with just eight men after a brawl
three minutes from time.
Armenians Feliks Khojoyan and Aik Gevorgyan and Poland's
Jasek Bak were dismissed by Belgian referee Eric Romain after
players from both sides squared up following a foul on a Pole.
Both benches also got involved and it took match officials
several minutes to restore order and play the remaining minutes.
Armenia's Albert Sarkisyan had already been sent off in the
58th minute after picking up his second yellow card.
When Radoslaw Kaluzni put Poland ahead just four minutes
into the game it looked as if the visitors would cruise to an
easy win.
But Artur Petrosyan equalised for the home side just seven
minutes later, beating Polish goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek from close
range.
Poland, who would have all but sealed their place in the
World Cup finals with a victory, pressed forward for much of the
game but wasted several good chances.
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