|
RUSSIA DISAPPOINTS IN AZERBAIJAN
Russia's final match in Group 4 play was supposed
to be a pride-filled performance before heading into the playoff round
but instead turned into a disappointing 1-1 draw in Baku.
| |
|
|
Azerbaijan vs. Russia Photo SPORT EXPRESS
|
While the result assures Guus Hiddink's men a spot in the
two-legged playoff round on 14 November and 18 November but they will
need to do considerably better if they are to successfully navigate to
World Cup 2010.
Faced with six players on the cusp of suspension if they were to receive
a yellow-card, Guus Hiddink made a series of tactical changes to his lineup
along with facing the match without Vasiliy Berezutsky, Roman Pavlyuchenko
and Pavel Pogrebnyak due to injury.
The match started optimistically for the Russian visitors as two minutes
shy of the quarter-hour Andrey Arshavin latched onto a rebound of Alan
Dzagoyev's point-blank effort and promptly sent the ball to the back of
the net for the 1-0 lead.
However after grabbing the lead Russia failed to find the killing touch
and allowed Berti Vogts' side to gain some confidence and become an attacking
threat in front of their home supporters. Less than five minutes after
breaking the deadlock the Azeri's Vladimir Levin forced Russia 'keeper
Igor Akinfeev into action from the free-kick and from the subsequent corner,
the hosts once again proved to be a menacing threat with Makhir Shukurov
sending his effort off-course.
Continuing to establish the attacking pulse, at the twenty-ninth minute
Igor Akinfeev did well to hold back Alexandr Chertoganov's header and
though Russia maintained its lead it was loud and clear the hosts has
firm intentions of earning a positive result for their nights work. After
a late chance effort before the break from Vladimir Bystrov rang off the
crossbar, the match went to the half with Russia holding a scant one-goal
lead.
At the restart the Azeri's maintained their pressure with Vagif Javadov
coming close but six minutes shy of the hour the former CSKA Moscow, sent
a skipping effort from twenty-seven metres past Igor Akinfeev to frustratingly
square the match at one.
With twenty-six minutes remaining in regulation Guus Hiddink summoned
Igor Denisov and Aleksandr Bukharov for greater attacking vision and while
the Russian's came close, general play was far short of inspiring.
Still Russia had its chance to gain the three points as referee Howard
Webb questionably adjudged Samir Abbasov a penalty for bringing down Alan
Dzagoev and pointed to the spot. However in a tell-tale statement of the
day Sergey Ignashevich's effort from the spot was denied by Azeri 'keeper
Kamran Agaev and the match concluded as a 1-1 draw, honours even.
Russia now waits for the home and away match assignments draw held at
FIFA headquarters in Zurich on 19 October for the playoff round on Saturday,
14 November and Wednesday, 18 November.
Prepared by John Davies
Sport
Express Daily, 15 Oct 2009
|
|
