TIRANA, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Ukraine revived their World Cup qualifying hopes and set up a pivotal tie with Croatia when they defied rain-soaked conditions to win 2-0 away to bottom side Kosovo in their World Cup qualifier on Friday. The match was played in the Albanian city of Shkoder as Kosovo do not yet have any stadiums considered fit for World Cup qualifiers. It was a laboured performance from Ukraine although it might have been easier if Yevhen Konoplyanka's first-half solo effort had gone in rather than striking the woodwork. A disciplined Kosovo did well to frustrate the visitors until Konoplyanka crossed to the far post and the hapless Paqarada turned the ball into his own net. The winners of the nine European groups qualify directly for Russia next year and the best eight runners-up play off for four more places.

Source: Economic Times October 06, 2017 21:45 UTC