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COSTLY LATE GOAL IN RUSSIA'S WIN OVER SLOVENIA
Heading into the opening leg of their playoff
tie against Slovenia, Russian manager Guus Hiddink warned his side of
the opposition's commitment to play up-tempo style through the full ninety
minutes.
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Russia vs. Slovenia Photo SPORT EXPRESS
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True to form Slovenia fought to the last gasp and in many
ways Russia was fortunate to escape with a 2-1 victory at Moscow's Luzhniki
Stadium. While the victory is naturally well-received by Russia, with
the all-important away goal Slovenia manager's Matjaz Kek knows his side
are more that capable of pulling off a stunning upset as the tie heads
to the deciding match on Wednesday evening in Maribor.
The capacity crowd, that included Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, saw Guus
Hiddink's line-up unable to break through the compact midfield of the
Slovenian's that left no ball unchallenged.
Through Russia was controlling the run of play it was the visitors who
posed the first threat as Milivoje Novakovic linked the ball to Auxerre's
Valter Birsa, with the young attackers effort deflected off-course by
Yuriy Zhirkov. That threat aside, Russia continued controlling the ball
but could offer little threat in the final third as the visitors were
more than willing to absorb pressure.
However at the forty-first minute the deadlock was broken as Roman Pavlyuchenko
deftly provided the ball to Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, with the former Lokomotiv
Moscow captain turning on Bostjan Cesar and Marko Suler before creating
the slightest space to his right and sending a powerful right-footed effort
into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead. Just before the break, tempers
began to spill over as Andrey Arshavin retaliated on a physical challenge
Miso Brecko and was the recipient of the yellow-card.
The goal picked up Russia's spirits after the break and after coming up
short on a few noteworthy advances, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov notched his
second of the evening at the fifty-second minute. Latching onto a short
cross from Andrey Arshavin's on his left, the mercurial winger quickly
struck the ball towards the net, only to see it immediately pin-ball back
to him off Konstantin Zyryanov and without a moment of hesitation he sent
the rebound in for the 2-0 lead.
While Russia narrowly missed increased the lead eight minutes past the
hour when a cross by Konstantin Zyryanov was nearly sent in by Roman Pavlyuchenko
and a further Diniyar Bilyaletdinov effort came up short, slowly Slovenia's
confidence grew.
Finally with two minutes remaining in regulation time, Slovenia struck
the all-important away goal as Robert Koren's drive from the right was
parried by Igor Akinfeev only to see Nejc Pecnik head the ball into the
net from a few metres out to make it 2-1.
The celebratory mood at Luzhniki was quickly replaced with shock as the
impact of the goal changes Slovenia's tactical plan measurably for the
deciding match. Not satisfied with the one goal disadvantage, Slovenia
pressed for the equalizer and came within a hushed whisper of finding
it. Russia, under siege in the final stages, saw the 2-1 victory saved
as Igor Akinfeev stretched out deep into added-time with a breathtaking
save to deny Marko Suler's point-blank effort at the back-post.
Whilst the result is well received by Russia, quite obviously the late
defensive lapse that allowed the away goal and subsequent attempts looms
large. With the knowledge that a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Slovenia will
cast them out of the World Cup, Guus Hiddink will have his tactical hands
full.
Prepared by John Davies
Sport
Express Daily, 16 Nov 2009
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