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Andriy Yarmolenko gives Ukraine solid play-off lead against Slovenia

Ukraine’s hopes of finally ending their play-off hoodoo and qualifying for Euro 2016 were given a huge boost with a 2-0 first-leg victory over Slovenia in Lviv.
The Ukrainians have failed in play-offs on five occasions, with Slovenia among the countries who have dashed their dream in two-legged contests in a tie to qualify for Euro 2000. However, Mykhaylo Fomenko’s men are well placed to be in France next summer after Andriy Yarmolenko and Yevhen Seleznyov scored in either half.
The cushion they will take to Slovenia on Tuesday could have been even greater, though, yet Denys Garmash and Seleznyov were unable to add a third goal against the lacklustre visitors.
Yarmolenko was his nation’s top scorer in qualifying and it was the Dynamo Kyiv winger who struck 22 minutes in. Yevhen Konoplyanka’s corner was only half-cleared and the Sevilla midfielder crossed the ball back in and Samir Handanovic’s punch fell to Yarmolenko at the back post. Rene Krhin and Jasmin Kurtic believed the 26-year‑old was going to pull the trigger with his left foot, but he feigned a shot and moved the ball on to his right to rifle past Handanovic and into the far corner.
Up until that point the visitors had showed little attacking threat, and a half-volley from Josip Ilicic that sailed over the top in the 28th minute was their first attempt on goal.

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