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RUSSIA STORMS PAST LIECHTENSTEIN IN ST. PETERSBURG
Undaunted by challenging rainy conditions, Russia
stormed to a confident 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein in front of the
faithful at Petrovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg, Sport Express correspondent
John Davies reports.
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Russia vs. Liechtenstein Photo SPORT EXPRESS
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The rain could not dampen the spirits of those in the stands
and following an extremely stirring rendition of the state anthem, Russia
took to its charge. With the full knowledge that they must play to their
vast potential in the coming week to force a showdown against Germany
at Luzhniki in October, Guus Hiddink's men came out with intense resolve.
Without the services of Yuriy Zhirkov, Andrey Arshavin and Denis Kolodin,
the Dutch manager tinkered with his lineup with the clear-cut vision of
going on the attack from the opening whistle and not allowing the visitors
a moment of ease. "Attack" was the call of the day as a quick
peruse of the starting eleven lineup gave the tell-tale sign with the
mercurial Diniyar Bilyaletdinov slotted in as left-back and Alexandr Anyukov
on the opposite. The Army-Men's formidable lock-down trio of Sergey Ignashevich
and Vasiliy Berezutsky took their spot in centre-back roles, in front
of goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev with a central midfield of Sergey Semak and
Igor Denisov. The attacking venom on the right and left wings came via
Vladimir Bystrov, in his first match at Petrovsky since returning to Zenit
and Konstantin Zyryanov with Alexandr Kerzhakov and Pavel Pogrebnyak paired
up-top.
Russia, it is claret coloured kit, poured forward in an exhausting assault
seconds into the match despite the slippery conditions. Three minutes
in, Alexandr Kerzhakov latched onto to ball on the left side of the box
and crossed to Roman Pavlyuchenko in point-blank range. Though the striker
could not get his effort away it marked the shape of things to come as
Russia barely lost possession of the ball in the opening forty-five minutes
and kept the visitors on their heels. Pushing forward on the right flank
Vladimir Bystrov, who was the recipient of a extremely warm response from
the Zenit faithful in attendance with every touch of the ball, was being
marked tightly by Franz Burgmeier but just shy of the thirteenth minute
Konstantin Zyryanov slickly back-heeled him the ball but his effort from
seven metres was turned aside by the Liechtenstein goalkeeper Peter Jehle
in stunning fashion. Seconds later Russia was frustrated again as off
the resulting corner Sergey Ignashevich headed the ball powerfully and
though it seemed destined for the netting the visiting 'keeper turning
his effort away on the line. However at the seventeenth minute Russia
had the go-ahead goal as a poorly cleared corner was headed back by Sergey
Ignashevich to Vasiliy Berezutsky, who slammed the ball into the netting
from nine metres out. Continuing to pressure after the opener Russia was
frustrated on a number of occasions with a final touch that were lacking
the needed magic but six minutes prior to the break Igor Denisov was played
into the area via a businesslike one-two with Konstantin Zyryanov, only
to be brought down resulting in the spot being pointed to. Roman Pavlyuchenko
stepped-up and the former Spartak Moskva-man confidently drove the ball
into the back of the net to give Russia the 2-0 lead. A few minutes later
the one black spot on Russia's day occurred as Igor Denisov was shown
a yellow-card for a harsh challenge, disqualifying him for Wednesday's
key match against Wales. Frustration continued for the hosts as quickly
thereafter Sergey Semak sent a pin-point cross from the left to Konstantin
Zyryanov in close range but the Zenit veteran shaped his foot poorly and
sent the ball off-course, missing the wide open net. However Russia would
grab the three-goal margin just before added-time was blown dead as Franz-Josef
Vogt was adjudged a penalty after bringing down Dynamo's Alexandr Kerzhakov
resulting in the spot being pointed to. Once again it was time Roman Pavlyuchenko
to step-up and without fail he sent the ball to the back of the net to
give Russia the 3-0 lead at the break.
From the restart Russia continued to pressure in an effort to add to its
lead but as opposed to the opening half, the touch in the final third
was lacking. Whether that was due to the difficult playing conditions
or that ostensibly the day was fait de compli, high quality chances were
at a premium. At hour Russia narrowly missed via a stunning effort at
the hour as Roman Pavlyuchenko sent a looping half-volley of Alexandr
Kerzhakov's cross over the 'keeper and just wide of the opposite corner.
A further goal bound effort by Vladimir Bystrov was pulled back with an
offside call and Alexandr Kerzhakov felt victim to the flag being raised
later on but regardless Russia grabbed the important confidence building
3-0 victory.
With the win the stage is set for a crucial match on Wednesday in Wales.
Each champion has their steps to take to hoist the hardware, rights of
passage that define the victors and those that stand in regret. Though
there is a great deal left on the plate, Guus Hiddink and company travel
to Cardiff knowing this and that a victory will transform the 10 October
match against Germany into a showdown battle for the top spot of Group
Four and an immediate spot in South Africa.
Sport
Express Daily, 07 Sep 2009
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