Ukrainians celebrate S Arabia defeat

Kiev:

Fireworks blasted into the dusk sky over Kiev and television announcers declared "Bravo!" as Ukraine beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 in a stunning return to World Cup contention. The victory in Hamburg on Monday buried memories of the former Soviet Republic's equally shocking loss to Spain by an identical score last week in Leipzig. "I promised that you'd see a different team, and today you saw that team," Ukraine coach Oleh Blokhin said in remarks on Ukraine's Inter television. As Ukrainians pounded ball after ball into the Saudi goal, shouts and cheers could be heard throughout the Ukrainian capital. "Tonight, our boys became patriots again," said Oleh Leshchenko, 31, draped in a rain-soaked blue and yellow flag, after watching the match downtown. It was in sharp contrast to the match with Spain last Wednesday, which left Ukrainians reeling in shame and questioning its players' patriotism. Politicians, who had eagerly gathered to watch the game before television cameras, were speechless at the loss. Ukraine meets Tunisia on Friday at Berlin in their last Group H match, and both teams have a chance to advance. (AP)