Setanta Sports Ireland
March 26 2011
Russia stumble in Armenia
by Nick Royle , 26 March 2011
Armenia have thrown open Euro 2012 Group B, after their goalless draw
with leaders Russia in Yerevan.
The result means that Armenia have moved into second place in Group B,
ahead of Ireland's clash with Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium on
Saturday evening.
A win for Giovanni's Trapattoni's men in that game would return
Ireland to level on points with Russia at the top of the table.
Russia had nine corners in the first half, and most of the possession,
but Armenia had the first chance. However, Henrik Mkhitaryan's shot in
the seventh minute was well saved by Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev.
Alexander Kerzhakov missed a good chance for Russia in the 23rd
minute, after fine work from Alan Dzagoev, then Armenia goalkeeper
Roman Berezovsky made a sharp save to stop defender Hrayr Mkoyan's
deflection from a Yury Zhirkov cross from the left.
Just before half-time, Mkoyan blocked Roman Shirokov's shot, and the
Russian's follow-up shot was palmed away by Berezovsky.
Berezovsky again denied Russia on 72 minutes, stopping a Kerzhakov
shot after Shirokov had set up the striker.
Russia coach Dick Advocaat sent on Pavel Pogrebnyak and Diniyar
Bilyaletdinov in the final ten minutes, but there was no way through
Berezovsky.
It is now no goals in three games for Russia, having lost 2-0 to
Belgium and 1-0 to Iran in their previous two matches.
http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2011/03/27/Russia-stumble-in-Armenia/gnid-91230/
From: A. Papazian
March 26 2011
Russia stumble in Armenia
by Nick Royle , 26 March 2011
Armenia have thrown open Euro 2012 Group B, after their goalless draw
with leaders Russia in Yerevan.
The result means that Armenia have moved into second place in Group B,
ahead of Ireland's clash with Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium on
Saturday evening.
A win for Giovanni's Trapattoni's men in that game would return
Ireland to level on points with Russia at the top of the table.
Russia had nine corners in the first half, and most of the possession,
but Armenia had the first chance. However, Henrik Mkhitaryan's shot in
the seventh minute was well saved by Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev.
Alexander Kerzhakov missed a good chance for Russia in the 23rd
minute, after fine work from Alan Dzagoev, then Armenia goalkeeper
Roman Berezovsky made a sharp save to stop defender Hrayr Mkoyan's
deflection from a Yury Zhirkov cross from the left.
Just before half-time, Mkoyan blocked Roman Shirokov's shot, and the
Russian's follow-up shot was palmed away by Berezovsky.
Berezovsky again denied Russia on 72 minutes, stopping a Kerzhakov
shot after Shirokov had set up the striker.
Russia coach Dick Advocaat sent on Pavel Pogrebnyak and Diniyar
Bilyaletdinov in the final ten minutes, but there was no way through
Berezovsky.
It is now no goals in three games for Russia, having lost 2-0 to
Belgium and 1-0 to Iran in their previous two matches.
http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2011/03/27/Russia-stumble-in-Armenia/gnid-91230/
From: A. Papazian