Dundee United suffer Europa League humiliation against Dinamo Moscow

Defeated: United captain Jon Daly during 5-0 loss in Moscow.SNS Group

Dundee United suffered a humiliating European exit, as they slumped to a 5-0 (7-2 on aggregate) defeat at the hands of a dominant Dinamo Moscow side in Russia.

It was not to be third time lucky for the Tayside club, after unsuccessful attempts at Europa League qualification in the past two seasons, as a double from Aleksandr Sapeta, and strikes from Igor Semshov, Aleksandr Kokorin and Artur Yusupov brought an end to United’s European aspirations for another year.

Dinamo were billed as a team in crisis before kick-off, replacing manager Sergei Silkin with assistant, Dmitry Khokhlov between the first and second legs after a 4-0 humbling to city rivals, Spartak Moscow at the weekend saw them sink to the foot of the Russian Premier League after a dismal start to the season.

However, there was to be no similar capitulation against Peter Houston’s side, with the Tangerines suffering a humbling of their own, as the Russian side demonstrated their superior quality throughout the game.

United got off to the worst possible start, conceding within the opening two minutes. Marko Lomic got in behind Keith Watson in the right full-back position and crossed across the penalty area to Semshov, whose stride carried him into the path of the ball and calmly side-footed into the net from 10 yards.

The visitors looked slightly overwhelmed by Dinamo’s lively start and the Russians were in total control of the contest as Kokorin and Kevin Kuranyi saw efforts go close.

Such was the SPL side’s futility early on, a tame Jon Daly header from Willo Flood’s deep cross to the back post represented their best chance in the opening exchanges.

Soon Dinamo had doubled their lead through the impressive Kokorin. Balazs Dzsudzsak took the ball to the by-line and floated a cross into the centre, where Kokorin powered a header into the net, rising highest in the six-yard box.

Shambolic defending from United, letting a long ball forward from Berezovsky to bounce over their backline, almost allowed Kokorin in again, but Cierzniak rushed off his line quickly to smother the attacker’s shot.

The front three of Dzsudzsak, Kokorin and Kuranyi continued to give United problems and all three combined to release Yusupov through on goal for Dinamo’s third, with the midfielder shaping his shot past Cierzniak in the United goal.

Flood, who was providing the only attacking threat going forward, almost pulled a goal back for the visitors, but the Dinamo keeper, Berezovsky, brilliantly scooped his freekick from 20 yards out of the top corner.

After the break the visitors looked to settle into the match, with Dinamo not forcing as high a line on United, allowing them to keep hold of possession for longer.

However, Kuranyi should’ve added his name to the score sheet, heading wide after a long ball forward caught out the United backline.

And the Terrors’ backline was once again at fault minutes later, when Otman Bakkal fired a shot into the arms of Cierzniak in similar circumstances to Kuranyi’s chance moments before.

Further misery was heaped upon Houston’s hurting team, with Sapeta neatly chipping over the on-rushing keeper to make it 4-0 after evading the desperate challenges of the United defence in the penalty area.

And with just two minutes remaining, Sapeta netted a magnificent long-range strike, smashing a shot from 30 yards past Cierzniak. United fans might wish to forget their night in Moscow quickly, but the outstanding goal from Sapeta warrants a place in the memory.

Dundee United will now take no further part in this season’s Europa League, with Dinamo Moscow progressing to the next round of qualifying, to be drawn on Friday, in their place.

GOAL SCORERS: Igor Semshov (2 mins), Aleksandr Kokorin (23 mins), Artur Yusupov (40 mins), Aleksandr Sapeta (83mins, 88 mins)

DINAMO MOSCOW: Berezovsky, Wilkshire, Fernandez, Rykov (Schildenfeld), Lomic, Kokorin, Semshov, Misimovic, Yusupov (Sapeta), Dzsudzsak (Bakkal), Kuranyi. Subs: Shunin, Nyakhaychyk, Noboa, Chicherin.

DUNDEE UNITED: Cierzniak, Watson, Douglas, Gunning, McLean, Flood, Ryan, Rankin (Armstrong), Mackay-Steven (Dow), Russell (Gardyne), Daly. Subs: Banks, Millar, Robertson, Barrett.

Attendance: 9,063

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