|
Russia keep hopes alive with Moldova win
Sergei Ignashevich and Artem Dzyuba strikes kept Russia ahead of Sweden
in the race for second place in UEFA EURO 2016 Group G.
Artem Dzyuba pushes on but Russia cannot make their dominance
count in the first half . Photo: AFP/Getty Images
Russia withstood a late scare against Moldova to tighten their grip on
second spot in Group G, goals by Sergei Ignashevich and Artem Dzyuba proving
to be enough to secure victory in Chisinau.
After a decidedly quiet first half – with a wayward header from Aleksandr
Kokorin in the 17th minute being the only incident of note – Russia emerged
from the interval with a newfound vibrancy. Igor Denisov dragged an effort
wide of Alexei Koselev's goal and the goalkeeper then fended off Aleksandr
Kokorin's long-range drive on 55 minutes.
Slutski's visitors were handed their due reward for a spell of sustained
heavy bombardment seconds later as Ignashevich pounced in the Moldova
box. Dmitri Kombarov's free-kick was chested down to Ignashevich by Dzyuba,
affording the 36-year-old enough time and space to beat Koselev with just
over half-an-hour remaining.
Dzyuba missed a decent chance after being sent through by substitute Oleg
Kuzmin, but the Zenit striker took his tally to eight for the campaign
– level with Germany's Thomas Muller in second place in the standings
– bundling the ball into an empty net after Ignashevich nodded Kombarov's
corner into his path.
While Cebotaru's late header from Vitalie Bordian's swinging corner made
the visitors sweat, Russia held firm to ensure that a point against Montenegro
at the Otkrytie Arena on Monday will confirm their place in the next summer's
finals.
UEFA.com, 9 October
2015
* * *
Moldova 1-2 Russia
Euro-2016. Qualifying
October 9, 2015
Chisinau. Stadionul Zimbru
Attendance: 10.244
Referee: Michael Koukoulakis (GRE)
Moldova - Koshelev, Armash (c), I. Jardan, Chebotaru, Bordian, A. Antoniuc,
Milinceanu (Istrati, 88), Spataru, Burghiu, Onica ( Ambros, 79), Carp
( Vremea, 70)
Coach: Shtefan Stoica (MDA)
Russia - Akinfeev, Smolnikov (Kuzmin, 27), A. Berezutski, Ignashevich,
D. Kombarov, Denisov, Mamaev, Kokorin, Shirokov (c) (Glushakov, 76), Shatov,
Dzyuba ( Smolov, 88)
Coach: Leonid Slutski
Goals: Ignashevich (58), Dzyuba (78), Chebotaru (85)
Yellow cards: Kombarov (42), Antoniuc (57), Mamaev (75)
|
|
