Dynamo Kiev beat rivals Shakhtar 2-1 to win Ukraine Cup

KIEV, May 27 (Reuters) Dynamo Kiev today beat arch-rivals Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 in the Ukrainian Cup final to retain the trophy for a fourth straight year.

Brazilian striker Kleber put Dynamo ahead in the 58th minute and Ukraine international Oleg Gusev added the second goal against the run of play 10 minutes from time.

Shakhtar's Brazil international midfielder Elano pulled one back from close range in the 89th minute but Dynamo held on for victory despite having Brazilian defender Rodrigo sent off after picking up his second yellow card in the 70th minute.

Among the 60,000-strong crowd at Kiev's Olympic stadium were Ukraine President Viktor Yushchenko and his chief political adversary, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, sitting side-by-side in the VIP box.

It was Dynamo's ninth cup triumph since 1992, following the break-up of the Soviet Union. They beat Shakhtar in two other finals, in 2005 and 2003. The Donetsk side, who have won five cups, beat Dynamo in the 2002 final.

It was also the second meeting between the country's top two clubs in four days following Wednesday's 2-2 league draw in Kiev which moved Dynamo a step closer to securing their 12th title.

Dynamo, who lead Shakhtar by six points with two games remaining, could clinch their seventh league and cup double at home to mid-table Karpaty Lviv on June 10.

REUTERS CS SBA PM0035