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ARGENTINA EDGES RUSSIA 3:2 IN MOSCOW
Diego Maradona's Argentina came from behind to
beat Guus Hiddink's Russian team in a friendly match in Moscow yesterday.
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Russia vs. Argentina, Diego Maradona Photo
SPORT EXPRESS
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Russia - Argentina 2:3
Scorers: Semshov, 17 (1:0); Aguero, 45 (1:1); Lisandro Lopez, 46 (1:2);
Datolo, 59 (1:3); Pavlyuchenko, 78 (2:3)
Yesterday Russian team failed to defeat one of the world's strongest teams.
Friendly match against Argentina was their last test ahead of 2010 World
Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Wales which will take place on
September 5 and 9 respectively.
Hiddink couldn't count on services of Vladimir Bystrov and Chelsea man
Yuri Zhirkov while Diego Maradona had to be without injured Carlos Tevez,
Martin Demichelis, Juan Sebastian Veron and Lionel Messi.
Igor Semshov gave Russia 1:0 lead on the 17th minute before Argentina
equalized with a fine strike from Sergio Aguero on the stroke of half-time.
Maradona introduced Lisandro Lopez after half-time and he immediately
awarded visitors with a goal.
Datolo struck the third goal before Russian substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko
made the final score of the game - 2:3.
Argentinean players didn't please Russian journalists with their desire
to talk with mass media. Sergio Aguero was one of those players who agreed
to give an interview to Sport Express correspondent after the final whistle.
"We played with very dangerous and strong team on their pitch",
said Aguero. "I think that nobody would deny that we deserved this
victory".
"This success will give us more positive emotions on the eve of crunch
game with Brazil. I suppose that those who watched Moscow game made sure
that Argentinean national team is very strong".
"I liked Russian team. They controlled the game at the beginning
and we managed to change the situation closer to the end of the first
half".
"The end of the match was also tough for us because Russia wanted
to level the score. I think that it would have been unfair if we had failed
to win in Moscow".
"This game showed that Russia is strong with their team play but
if you want me to lay special mention to players I will name numbers 7
and 10 [Denisov and Arshavin]".
"I also liked the stadium where we played. Lokomotiv is a top-class
football arena and it's very pleasant to see the full stands".
Sport
Express Daily, 13 Aug 2009
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