DESPITE ending a four-game unbeaten away run in Europe with a 2-0 loss to Dynamo Kyiv, Noah still managed to get into the play-offs of the UEFA Conference League, finishing in the top 24.
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Even though Dynamo had nothing left but pride to fight for, their first-half performance was really strong against a Noah team that was still in the running for a play-off spot.
At the start of the match, it was Noah who had the first two chances.
Castro Ferreira’s shot from inside the box was saved by Dynamo's goalkeeper, Ruslan Neshcheret, and the Ukrainian keeper was quick again a few minutes later to stop Marin Jakolis.
As the game progressed, Dynamo took the lead midway through the first half.
Nazar Voloshyn was played in on the right side of the box and set up a dangerous ball across goal. Ognjen Cancarevic pushed it away, but it fell to Vladyslav Kabaev, who calmly scored with a close-range shot.
Kabaev has now scored in six of Dynamo's last seven home games, and Noah has let in goals in the first half of five out of their six league matches this season.
Dynamo were encouraged that the score at halftime was the same at the end of the game in all five of their league matches this season.
And just five minutes after the break, they took control again as Matviy Ponomarenko ran onto a header from Vladyslav Dubinchak and headed the ball into the net.
Noah seemed to be struggling to find motivation, especially since their win against Legia Warsaw had already secured their place in the play-offs.
The Armenians didn’t look like they could get back into the game during a quiet second half, as Dynamo looked comfortable throughout.
In the end, the result didn’t change anything for either team.
Dynamo Kyiv were eliminated from the competition at the league stage for the second year in a row, while Noah will now compete in the play-offs despite their defeat.