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Goal.com
March 26 2011
Armenia 0-0 Russia: Wasteful Visitors Come Up Short in Yerevan
Yet again, a Russian coach will be scratching his head and wondering
just how his side failed to take one of the many chances, which came
their way.
By Gary Niblock
It was most definitely a case of two points dropped for Group B
leaders Russia, as they somehow failed to pull open an Armenian side
whom they dominated in a scoreless draw in Yerevan. The result means
that Armenia net their first ever point against Russia.
Armenia began the brighter of the two sides but the opening stages
were devoid of any goalmouth action. Igor Akinfeev was forced into his
first real save of the afternoon when he tipped away a long-range
effort from Brazilian born attacker Marcos Pizzelli. Thereafter, it
was one-way traffic, with the home side coming under wave after wave
of pressure.
In-form Zenit striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov found enough space on the
right-hand side of the penalty area on 22 minutes but his strike was
disappointingly directed straight at Armenia goalkeeper Roman
Berezovsky. The 36-year old veteran stopper stood firm as the Russians
began to turn the screw, parrying away a fiercely struck Yuri Zhirkov
bullet from 25 yards.
Russia went close when, after a neat one-two with Roman Shirokov, Igor
Denisov drilled a low shot wide before Sergey Ignashevich then headed
narrowly wide from a corner from Russian captain Andrey Arshavin.
Shirokov was then thwarted twice in quick succession, first after a
brave block from Hrayr Mkoyan and then by another smart Berezkovsky
save.
After the break, the home side wasted a glorious chance six minutes
into the second half. The industrious Yura Mosisyan was only able to
direct his left-footed shot into the side netting from close range
after he had eluded the presence of Akinfeev. Moments later, Kerzhakov
blasted wide from a tight angle after receiving Alan Dzagoev's
lay-off.
At times, it looked as if Russia would leave themselves vulnerable to
an Armenian counter-attack but they continued to look the more likely
side to score. Kerzhakov looked to be in on goal with twenty minutes
remaining but he was eased off the ball by Armenia's captain Sargis
Hovsepyan. Arshavin went close on 79 minutes but he curled his shot
the wrong side of the post.
Given the fact that Armenia were still very much in the game as it
drew to a close, the home fans began to sense the possibility of an
upset. However, Armenia's clear-cut chance never came and Shirokov
spurned yet another opportunity to secure the three points when he
fired over from long range with four minutes left.
Russia, who now have ten points, remain top of the group for the
meantime, two points clear of second-placed Armenia with both sides
now awaiting the results of the other two games in the group. Armenia
have no game until the return fixture in Moscow in June, while Russia
play Qatar in a friendly on Tuesday.
From: A. Papazian
March 26 2011
Armenia 0-0 Russia: Wasteful Visitors Come Up Short in Yerevan
Yet again, a Russian coach will be scratching his head and wondering
just how his side failed to take one of the many chances, which came
their way.
By Gary Niblock
It was most definitely a case of two points dropped for Group B
leaders Russia, as they somehow failed to pull open an Armenian side
whom they dominated in a scoreless draw in Yerevan. The result means
that Armenia net their first ever point against Russia.
Armenia began the brighter of the two sides but the opening stages
were devoid of any goalmouth action. Igor Akinfeev was forced into his
first real save of the afternoon when he tipped away a long-range
effort from Brazilian born attacker Marcos Pizzelli. Thereafter, it
was one-way traffic, with the home side coming under wave after wave
of pressure.
In-form Zenit striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov found enough space on the
right-hand side of the penalty area on 22 minutes but his strike was
disappointingly directed straight at Armenia goalkeeper Roman
Berezovsky. The 36-year old veteran stopper stood firm as the Russians
began to turn the screw, parrying away a fiercely struck Yuri Zhirkov
bullet from 25 yards.
Russia went close when, after a neat one-two with Roman Shirokov, Igor
Denisov drilled a low shot wide before Sergey Ignashevich then headed
narrowly wide from a corner from Russian captain Andrey Arshavin.
Shirokov was then thwarted twice in quick succession, first after a
brave block from Hrayr Mkoyan and then by another smart Berezkovsky
save.
After the break, the home side wasted a glorious chance six minutes
into the second half. The industrious Yura Mosisyan was only able to
direct his left-footed shot into the side netting from close range
after he had eluded the presence of Akinfeev. Moments later, Kerzhakov
blasted wide from a tight angle after receiving Alan Dzagoev's
lay-off.
At times, it looked as if Russia would leave themselves vulnerable to
an Armenian counter-attack but they continued to look the more likely
side to score. Kerzhakov looked to be in on goal with twenty minutes
remaining but he was eased off the ball by Armenia's captain Sargis
Hovsepyan. Arshavin went close on 79 minutes but he curled his shot
the wrong side of the post.
Given the fact that Armenia were still very much in the game as it
drew to a close, the home fans began to sense the possibility of an
upset. However, Armenia's clear-cut chance never came and Shirokov
spurned yet another opportunity to secure the three points when he
fired over from long range with four minutes left.
Russia, who now have ten points, remain top of the group for the
meantime, two points clear of second-placed Armenia with both sides
now awaiting the results of the other two games in the group. Armenia
have no game until the return fixture in Moscow in June, while Russia
play Qatar in a friendly on Tuesday.
From: A. Papazian