Andrei Yarmolenko and Yevhen Seleznyov scored in either half to give Ukraine a 2-0 win over Slovenia in the first leg of their Euro 2016 play-offs on Saturday.
“We played well and the result we’ve achieved is pretty pleasing but it’s only half-time in the tie,” Ukraine’s manager Mikhail Fomenko said.
“I expect a very tough match at Maribor as Slovenia are a strong and well-organised team and now have nothing to lose.
“Today we played well in defence but on Tuesday we will need to perform even better to neutralise Slovenia’s dangerous attack.”
The match at the packed 65,000-seat Lviv Arena started with a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of Friday’s deadly attacks in Paris.
Ukraine, who have lost all five of their previous qualifying play-offs for major tournaments, dominated early but Samir Handanovic proved solid in the Slovenian goal in the opening 20 minutes.
But in the 22nd minute Yarmolenko picked up a rebound after Handanovic failed to clear Yevhen Konoplyanka’s cross and slotted inside the far post with a low shot.
Slovenia, who beat Ukraine 3-2 on aggregate in the qualifying play-offs 16 years ago, poured into attack and Fiorentina midfielder Josip Ilicic missed a clear chance to level after 27 minutes.
Denys Garmash had an opportunity to increase Ukraine’s lead five minutes before the break but Handanovic reacted well to deny the Dynamo Kiev midfielder’s header.
After the break, Ukraine continued to press forward and in the 54th minute Seleznyov got the second with a close range shot off an Artem Fedetskiy cross.
“It’s always displeasing when you lose a match but today we’ve suffered a defeat at the hands of very strong opponents,” Slovenia’s head coach Srecko Katanec said, with the second leg due in Maribor on Tuesday.
“Ukraine converted two of their chances into goals while we squandered all of our opportunities. It’s a shame.
“The return match will provide the answers to all of the questions. I believe we can still make it to the finals.”