Ukraine Beats Albania 2-0 in World Cup Qualifier

TIRANA, Albania -- Ukraine's Andriy Rusol and Andriy Husin struck in each half to clinch a 2-0 win against Albania in their World Cup qualifying Group Two match on Wednesday.

The win put Ukraine six points clear at the top with 14 points from six matches ahead of Greece, who beat visitors Denmark 2-1 to move onto eight points from five games.


Ukrainian players after defeating Albania
Rusol put Ukraine ahead five minutes before the break as he controlled a corner by Andriy Voronin and was given time to fire past goalkeeper Foto Strakosha to silence the home crowd.

Husin grabbed Ukraine's second goal just before the hour mark after connecting with a free kick from Andriy Shevchenko that eluded the makeshift Albania defence.

Albania played defensively fearing counter-attacks to feed Ukraine strikers Shevchenko and Andriy Voronin but the home side subsequently failed to find the attacking edge that saw them beat European champions Greece in their opener last September.

The defeat means Albania are stuck on six points from five matches as their dream of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup fades despite progress under German coach Hans-Peter Briegel.