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Russia grabs all three points in Dublin
Published: 09 October, 2010, 01:15
Edited: 10 October, 2010, 02:20
TAGS: Sport, Arshavin, Zhirkov, Football
Team Russia managed to hold their advantage to claim a crusial away win against Ireland in their Euro2012 quilifier, 3-2.
Republic of Ireland produced an impressive last-gasp comeback after trailing 0-3 at Dublin's Aviva Stadium, but couldn't earn at least a point.
The visitors opened the ecoring after 10 minutes with Aleksandr Kerzhakov delivering the ball home after goalkeeper Shay Given had already pushed out a deflected Andrey Arshavin free-kick.
CSKA young playmaker Alan Dzagoev doubled Russia's lead with his first goal for his international career later in the first half. And Roman Shirokov seemed to have finally destroyed the Republic of Ireland 15 minutes into the second half.
However, the Irish had something to stike back with. Captain Robbie Keane inspired hope in the home faithful when he converted a dubious penalty 18 minutes from time before Substitute Shane Long clawed another back for the Republic six minutes later.
But the hosts failed to find the equaliser as the visitors clung on to take the crucial three points.
The win means Russia has reached Ireland and Slovakia on top of Group B.
08.10.2010, 16:29
Irish broadcaster reveals soft spot for Russian footballTeam Russia's Friday game is of particular interest to one Irish broadcaster, Brian DeSalvo, who has a soft spot for the Russians. Away from the training sessions he revealed why on a stroll by the River Liffey. |
09.10.2010, 15:43
“We’re strong in spirit, character and skills” – ArshavinRussia’s captain, Andrey Arshavin, says he is impressed by “the spirit, the character and the high skills” of his partners in their 3-2 away in Ireland in Euro 2012 qualifiers. |
Apart from the games first ten minutes and its last fifteen the Russian team was in control. And for most of the game they gave the Irish side a lesson in one touch football , speed and the benefit of hunting for the ball in packs. In Andrei Arshavin the Russian's have a world class forward but don't get carried away. The Russian defense looked anything but composed and that may prove a long term problem.
It was a disappointing result from an Irish perspective, but a good lesson too: namely when you get the ball don't go "Oh dear, I better get rid of this fast" ... far too much passing the ball to avoid responsibility by individual players, but not enough where it mattered. Also far too much of this 'sledgehammer' approach of lobbing the ball far up the pitch and hoping for the best. We can perform reasonably well when someone else takes the initiative and forces us ... again, not the way to go. On the night the Russian team were by far the better team. Probably the best we could have hoped for was to come out of it with some pride, which we did, but that is not good enough.