Shakhtar Donetsk Is Not Ukrainian For "Good Sportsmanship," Takes Advantage Of Injured Player To Score Equalizer
In a stunt that has soccer traditionalists around the globe shaking their heads, today's UEFA Champions League match between Nordsjælland and Shakhtar Donetsk is bathed in controversy as Shakhtar's Willian took advantage of a drop-ball to fire a long-range pass to Luiz Adriano who raced past a baffled Nordsjælland goalkeeper and scored the equalizing goal at 1-1.
The play stoppage came after a Shakhtar player leveled Nordsjælland's Morten Nordstrand, who'd scored the opening goal. Traditionally after a stoppage of play, the ball is dropped and then kicked back (conceded) to the team who'd been in possession when the injury was suffered; instead, Willian launched a through ball that left everyone—broadcasters included—wondering what the hell had just happened. Nordsjælland is a heavy underdog in the match, and is likely eliminated from advancing in the tournament without a win. Shakhtar Donetsk stands atop the Group E table. [Fox Soccer]
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