|
RUSSIA CELEBRATES VICTORY IN CARDIFF
Russia set the stage for a massive showdown against
Germany on 10 October at Luzhniki Stadium with a hard fought 3-1 victory
over tenacious Wales, reports Sport Express correspondent John Davies.
| |
|
|
Russia's Igor Semshov celebrates with Vladimir
Bystrov (R) and Konstantin Zyryanov (L) after scoring during their
World Cup 2010 qualifying soccer match against Wales at the Millennium
Stadium in Cardiff Photo REUTERS
|
With the result Guus Hiddink's men are a single point behind
the German's and the two sides will fight it out in Moscow with the victory
most likely claiming the top spot of Group Four in World Cup qualifiers
and the loser facing a perilous playoff round effort for a spot in South
Africa.
As expected the Welsh side wouldn't give up a blade of grass at Millennium
Stadium without a fight and forced the most out of the visitors. Although
attendance at the cavernous Cardiff stadium was dreadful, the hosts fought
with intense pride and surprised many with an attack orientated plan that
featured eighteen year old maestro Aaron Ramsey take a key role in support
of striker Craig Bellamy. On the opposite side of the equation the Russian
line-up was bolstered with the inclusion of Andrey Arshavin and the twenty-eight
year old attacker showed no ill effects of his recent injury and was a
consistent whirlwind of attacking vision.
From the opening whistle Wales made it known that they were not planning
to lay back with James Collins and David Edwards driving the ball forward.
Five minutes into the evening, Russia's goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was forced
into action, first with James Collins heading the ball from point-blank
range and shortly thereafter an attempt by Brian Stock from twenty-three
metres that was scorched just outside of the right post. The Russian 'keeper
who was barely disturbed in the 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein continued
to be under pressure, many coming via Sam Ricketts' probing attacks down
the right flank. Gradually Russia began to settle into the match to threaten
Wales superb young 'keeper Wayne Hennessey. After a Vladimir Bystrov-bound
ball via Andrey Arshavin's provision was cleared narrowly wide of the
post, the Welsh 'keeper stretched out to deny Alexandr Kerzhakov's effort
from just inside twenty metres. Nine minutes before the break Igor Semshov
carried his recent goal-scoring binge at Zenit to the international stage
as he accepted a stunning Andrey Arshavin seeing-eye pass on the right
side of the box before sending the ball to the opposite corner of the
net for the 1-0 lead. Though Russia was beginning to emerge with more
confident attacking play, they failed to capitalize and the match went
to the break with the hosts only down by one.
As the whistle blew to start the second-half, Wales sprung into action
with captain Craig Bellamy pressing the action forward. With Russia slowly
beginning to spend more time on their heels, the lead was eliminated nine
minutes after the re-start as Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey corner from the left
was sent in by James Collins, who slipped off his mark to volley the ball
in with the outside of his right foot to the near post. Now level, Wales
was focused on spoiling Russia's plans and was dictating the ebb and flow
of the match. After Sergey Semak's quick thinking clearance of a David
Edwards effort off the line, Russia notched the eventual winner with nineteen
minutes left on the clock. Lining up for a free-kick just outside the
area after Daniel Gabbidon is adjudged a foul on Alexandr Kerzhakov, Sergey
Ignashevich manages to avoid the wall and send the ball into the netting
for the 2-1 lead. Down by one, Wales called upon another of their talent
young players, nineteen year-old Sam Vokes as an extra attacker however
any efforts were short winded as they couldn't impose their attacking
will in the final third. With six minutes left on the clock Guus Hiddink
made a tactical change summoning FC Moskva's Alexey Rebko for Alexandr
Kerzhakov and any advancing effort by Wales was met quickly without fail.
In the first minute of added-time Roman Pavlyuchenko put a little icing
on the cake as he latched onto a loose ball, per one of Wales rare defending
blunders and drilled a left-foot shot into the far corner of the net to
bring the match to a 3-1 conclusion in Russia's favour.
Prepared by John Davies
Sport
Express Daily, 10 Sep 2009
|
|
