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OWEN LEAVES RUSSIA NO CHANCE
Two first-half goals from Michael Owen buried Russia's hopes to snatch
points from England.
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Photo: soccer.sportsnet.tsn.ca
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Russia's supporters could be optimistic ahead of England-Russia
Euro-2008 qualifier as the side had not lost a single game in the campaign
and conceded only one goal.
Yet it was quite clear that England are most formidable even when not
in their best shape and that Russia would have to sweat to snatch points
in London.
An early goal from Michael Owen served as a cold shower for the Russian
side from which they never fully recovered.
The Russians had good spells now and then and even managed to score once
but Konstantin Zyryanov's effort was ruled out for handball.
The desperate wish to fight back led to a crucial mistake in Russia's
defence that let Michael Owen make a double 31 minutes after the kick-off.
Dmitry Sychev could become Russia's hero in the second half but failed
to convert his scoring opportunities.
It was in the 84th minute of the game that even the most devoted Russian
supporters lost hope for a positive outcome.
Ferdinand made the score an indecent 0:3 for Russia.
Former goaltender of the Russian national side Sergei Ovchinnikov commented
on the outcome to Sport Express.
"We lost to formidable opponents and I can't say it is a hopeless
defeat," said Sergei Ovchinnikov.
"I liked the way we played in the first half if we forget about the
score and a couple of episodes in the area."
"We have Arshavin, Bilyaletdinov and Zhirkov who are both skilled
and creative and we can rely on them."
"I hope that the side will draw conclusions from the defeat and try
to show their trumps in a month in Luzhniki."
Sport
Express Daily, 13 Sep 2007
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