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Luck abandons Hiddink, Russia miss World Cup
Published: 19 November, 2009, 00:58
Edited: 11 February, 2010, 16:15
TAGS: Sport, Arshavin, Hiddink, Zhirkov, Football
Russia won’t be present in South Africa next summer after a dramatic 1-0 loss in the second leg of their World Cup playoffs against Slovenia.
Guus Hiddink’s men came into the match having a 2-1 advantage after the first game in Moscow on Saturday and needed at least a draw to advance.
But Slovenia was the better side in the first half. They dominated possession against a nervous Russia led by Andrey Arshavin, who produced, probably, one of his worst displays in recent years.
The host created enough chances before eventually taking the lead in the 44th minute through Zlatko Dedic, who capitalized on the long ball, 1-0.
Russia looked eager to save the game after the break, but their plans were hampered by the referee. Norwegian Terje Hauge red carded substitute Aleksandr Kerzhakov for what he considered an assault on Slovenian keeper Samir Handanovic.
But despite being a man down, Russia managed to lock the Slovenian’s into their box at the end of the game. Yury Zhirkov came close to making it 1-all, but Handanovic saved his country in the near corner.
Russia was looking for a goal till the final second of the game but failed to score, and Zhirkov came into focus again, getting a second yellow in stoppage time.
Despite a 2-2 aggregate score, Slovenia now progresses to South Africa 2010 due to an away goal in Moscow.
And Russia has another four years to wait for the World Cup, a tournament they last played back in 2002.
Read also – Russia’s World Cup Disaster: Totally unacceptable!
18.11.2009, 14:39
“Russia to look for victory in Slovenia” – HiddinkRussia’s boss Guus Hiddink says his men, who lead 2-1 after the first leg of their World Cup 2010 play-offs with Slovenia, won’t be looking for draw in an away clash in Maribor on Wednesday. |
19.11.2009, 12:06
3 comments
“I am staying” – HiddinkRussia’s national team coach Guus Hiddink says he’ll keep working with the team despite their loss to Slovenia in Word Cup 2010 playoffs on Wednesday. |
I will have to cool you down Slovenians, cause you seem to be overly believing it was not the referee who played with you. Last year We, Slovakia couldve won I think 2-1, western european referees I think from Holland played against us. We scored a regular goal, the referee says it wasnt a goal. If referees werent with you you wouldnt even play with Russia, but stay home while boasting. Only an easily manipulated mind can call what I saw a neutral referee. The more in the west your country is, the more they like you. Blind not to see that. In all honesty I would beat that referee until Id leave him unconscious there. Slovenians acted as those with inferiority complex. Also usually the bigger country the better referees act to them. West despises east. In turn so do I.
Did you people even watch the game? In the firs half the refereeing was OK. In the second half the referee got a clear message from FIFA that Russia has to advance. the russians got called every touch near the penalty area. slovenians had TWO clear penalty fouls, which were not called. Once Dedić was alone in front of the keaper and he got PULLED BY THE SHIRT and KICKED FROM BEHIND HIS BACK. He got knocked down before he managed a shot on goal and nothing was called. NOHING. That happened twice and you are saying that the referee was biased towards Slovenia? Get a life. he referee was clearly biased towards Russia and the change in criteria clearly shows, that he god instructions during halftime, sepp Blatter clearly wanted to see Russia in South Africa next summer.
Artyom i mostly agree with you.. it was quite an ugly match (if you arent slovenian)...many fouls, many tackles,....Dedic was really amazing as you wrote i would like to reply to that dirtyness... this was like slovenian match of the decade..we dont go to big competitions regularly and we were kinda sad and angry we didnt qualify directly after beating slovakia twice who later won the group. Before the matches against russia we were huge underdogs. As i read from newspapers arshavin said that he hasnt seen how slovenia play and has not intention of doing it... Some of your players already talked about south africa...YOur football asociation already booked A HOTEL!!!!! in africa, you made new uniforms for national team............Before the second match Semshov said we cant play football and we were lucky to score and they will demolish us in Slovenia... They made us feel like we have no chances at all but we knew we can....and russians gave us that EXTRA will to do it.....you gave us extra motivation and i guess players got that in their mind and thats why they were a bit dirty on ocasions and very very motivated. We wanted to show that no1 will make fun of us.............. The first red card was a bit too strict in my opinion but i would say the referee didnt see the replays and on first look it did seem as intentional kick at keeper.