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Pavlyuchenko sinks Liechtenstein
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Roman Pavlyuchenko (?9) Photo championat.ru
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Roman Pavlyuchenko scored two penalties in the space of
six minutes as Russia made light work of Liechtenstein in a 2010 FIFA
World Cup South AfricaT qualifier in rain-soaked St Petersburg.
Centre-back Vasili Berezutsky opened the scoring in the Group 4 match
before Tottenham striker Pavlyuchenko settled the contest with two goals
before the break. Coach Guus Hiddink was missing Andrei Arshavin, Yuri
Zhirkov and Denis Kolodin through injury and started Everton newcomer
Denis Bilyaletdinov at left-back, but the changes did not prevent Russia
from recording a simple victory.
It was clear visiting goalkeeper Peter Jehle was going to be in for a
busy afternoon when he was called into action twice in the 13th minute.
First Vladimir Bystrov capped a fine move with a toe poke that Jehle turned
behind for a corner, from which Sergei Ignashevich's powerful close-range
header was kept out by the Liechtenstein stopper, although he knew little
about it.
Russia opened the scoring four minutes later with a goal crafted by an
unlikely combination between central defensive duo Vasili Berezutsky and
Sergei Ignashevich. Ignashevich headed the ball back into the danger area
after Liechtenstein had cleared a Russia corner and CSKA Moscow teammate
Berezutsky beat the offside trap to fire past Jehle from 10 yards.
Six minutes before half-time Pavlyuchenko doubled Russia's advantage from
the penalty spot after Igor Denisov had been tripped by Liechtenstein
right-back Marco Ritzberger following a one-two with Zenit team-mate Konstantin
Zyryanov. And Pavlyuchenko scored again for the spot on the stroke of
half-time when Aleksandr Kerzhakov was bundled over by Franz-Josef Vogt
to put Russia 3-0 up at the break.
FC Moscow midfielder Aleksei Rebko was brought on with twenty minutes
remaining for his Russia debut but, despite dominating possession, the
hosts failed to add to their tally in the second period, with the worsening
conditions and slippery pitch making for a scrappy second 45 minutes.
Liechtenstein had a couple of sights of goals in the second half, with
veteran striker Mario Frick shooting harmlessly off target from distance
on both occasions. Hiddink's afternoon was spoilt slightly, though, by
a yellow card to Denisov, who will now miss Wednesday's match against
Wales in Cardiff through suspension.
FIFA.com,
5 September 2009
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