GROUP SIX Ukraine 0 Croatia 0:UKRAINE lost ground on England by dropping their first points of the campaign in a goalless draw at home to Croatia on Saturday.
The hosts had started level with England at the top of the group on six points - but are now two points behind.
A point will be even more disappointing for Croatia, who lost 4-1 to England at home in their last match and are now three points behind Ukraine and only one above Belarus - who have a game in hand.
Eager to prove they are legitimate contenders for a place in South Africa 2010, Ukraine started well and could have gone ahead just after the half-hour mark. The ever-dangerous Andriy Shevchenko - already thwarted several times by Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa - dribbled his way through before putting a cross into the box which Denys Golaydo fired narrowly wide.
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic must have given his players an earful at half-time, because they were a different side after the restart.
The visitors had one of the best chances of the match five minutes into the second half when Ivica Olic sent a header crashing off the bar.
Luka Modric went even closer nine minutes from time, as he forced Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov into a fine fingertip save.
The result means Croatia should move level on points with Ukraine when they host Andorra on Wednesday.
Ukraine's next match is not until April - when they travel to England.
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