Ukraine Want to Prove Worth Without Shevchenko

KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukraine have a rare chance to dispel the myth of being a one-man team when they host Denmark in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

The Ukrainians, who lead European Group Two with 14 points from six matches, will be without captain and leading player Andriy Shevchenko, who is still recovering after fracturing a cheekbone and eye socket in a Serie A match last month.

The AC Milan striker has scored four goals in five qualifiers to help Ukraine open a three-point lead over European champions Greece with Denmark joint third in the group with Turkey, a further two points behind.

With the European Player of the Year on the sidelines, the home side will not only miss his scoring touch but more importantly his ability to lead the team in tough situations.

"Do we miss him? Of course we do," Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin told local reporters this week.

"It's like having two different teams, with Shevchenko or without him in the line-up. But it will give a chance for other senior players to prove their worth and show their leadership qualities," added the former Soviet international.

At least Blokhin will be allowed to guide his team from the bench after Ukraine's Appeal Court last week reversed an earlier decision and allowed the former Dynamo Kiev striker to keep his job.

Blokhin resigned this month saying he could not combine the coaching post with his other job as a Ukrainian parliament member, but the court said he could do both.

Gravesen Returns

"It has been a really tough week mentally for myself and the players," said Blokhin.

"I don't really know why someone in the parliament tried to create such turmoil, especially before a key match against Denmark. It is almost as if someone in our own group wanted us to lose, but I hope my players will prove them wrong."

Aside from Shevchenko, Ukraine will be missing injured Dynamo Kiev defender Serhiy Fyodorov and suspended Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk midfielder Oleg Shelayev.

Denmark, quarter-finalists at Euro 2004, beat Kazakhstan 3-0 at home on Saturday for only their second win in six qualifiers but welcome back Real Madrid midfielder Tomas Gravesen from suspension for a tougher assignment in Kiev.

"They must not take the lead because then they will pack themselves in front their own goal," warned coach Morten Olsen, quoted by the tabloid BT.

Defender Per Kroldrup is also available after serving a suspension.

Probable Teams

Ukraine - Olexander Shovkovsky; Andriy Nesmachny, Volodymyr Yezersky, Andriy Rusol, Oleg Gusev; Andriy Husin, Anatoly Tymoshchyuk, Ruslan Rotan; Andriy Vorobei, Olexiy Belik, Andriy Voronin

Denmark - Thomas Sorensen; Thomas Helveg, Christian Poulsen, Brian Priske, Niclas Jensen, Per Kroldrup, Thomas Gravesen, Jesper Gronkjaer, Jon Dahl Tomasson, Peter Moller, Martin Jorgensen

Referee: Michel Lubos (Slovakia).