Ukrainians celebrate Saudi Arabia defeat in World Cup comebac

Fireworks blasted into the dusk sky over Kiev and television announcers declared "Bravo!" as Ukraine beat up Saudi Arabia 4-0 in a stunning return to World Cup contention on Monday.

Photo: Ukrainians celebrate Saudi Arabia defeat in World Cup comebac

The victory in Hamburg buried memories of the former Soviet republic's equally shocking loss to Spain by an identical score last week in Leipzig.

"I promised that you'd see a different team, and today you saw that team," Ukraine coach Oleh Blokhin said in remarks on Ukraine's Inter television.

As Ukrainians pounded ball after ball into the Saudi goal, shouts and cheers could be heard through open apartment windows throughout the Ukrainian capital.

"Tonight, our boys became patriots again," said Oleh Leshchenko, 31, draped in a rain-soaked blue and yellow flag as he waited for a bus home after watching the match downtown.

It was in sharp contrast to the match with Spain last Wednesday, which left Ukrainians reeling in shame and questioning its players' patriotism. Politicians, who had eagerly gathered to watch the game before television cameras, were speechless at the loss.

Ukraine meets Tunisia on Friday at Berlin in their last Group H match, and both teams have a chance to advance, reports AP.

O.Ch.