The Russians just love 'Tsar Guus' and the way his team is playing...
Right after the World Cup qualifier against Finland on June 10, which Russia won 3-0, Sport-Express published the headline 'The national team, we love you!' on the front page the day after victory in Helsinki.
On seeing the headline, Guus Hiddink told the newspaper, "It’s very pleasant and I think the national team deserved it.
"When we played with Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein in spring, we earned six points, but the team didn’t show overwhelming football. Russia won these matches thanks to our high class.
"Our game against Finland required more emotions from players. We prepared for it very seriously as we knew that we had no right to lose points in Helsinki."
Russia’s most complete performance since their Euro 2008 quarter-final win over Holland saw Hiddink’s side put three unanswered goals past the Finns to move a step closer to the 2010 World Cup.
It was Dynamo Moscow’s Alexander Kerzhakov, back in the side after more than a year out of the national team, who scored the first and second goals of the match.
He got his first by rounding Jussi Jaaskelainen to slot in the first after a delicate lobbed pass by Andrei Arshavin. The second came after the in-form Vladimir Bystrov weaved through the Finland defence and hit a shot that was pushed out by Jaaskelainen to the grateful feet of Kerzhakov in the 53rd minute.
The opener was the first at international level for the former Sevilla striker, left out of the Euro 2008 squad despite being Russia’s top scorer in qualification, since September 2007.
Kerzhakov A Risk
Speaking about the in-form Dynamo striker, Hiddink said it was a risk including him in the lineup.
"We took the risk and capped Alexandr Kerzhakov as a starter and he scored two goals. This striker deserves kind words. Since the first day of our pre-match preparations he demonstrated his eagerness to play in Finland," he said.
"It’s very important that Kerzhi behaved like a full-fledged member of the team. Partners helped him feel at home in the national team again."
After the match with Finland, Kerzhakov admitted that he was surprised with the changes that occurred in the national team during the year and a half he was absent.
"We really made a giant step forward. Russia advanced in FIFA rankings. And at the same time I assure players that it’s not our limit and they can achieve even more success," the forward said.
Hiddink also spoke about how he wanted Russia to dominate the game, to play with confidence and work hard for each other.
"We set players to dominate the game from the very beginning and dictate their play on Finland. We always study our opponents’ strong and weak sides and build our game in the way that our team manages to show all best qualities," he continued.
"Russian national team loves playing football. During the last three years the team worked their own unique playing style, which could be called attractive. I suppose that Russia’s football style became recognisable.
"At the same time I like that players understand importance of rough work. In Finland our defenders, midfielders and strikers pressed the opponents very well.
"Confidence in our superiority became the main component of our victory. And players’ physical form also let them move on the pitch all the time and create dangerous moments in Finland’s penalty area."
Arshavin In Form
Hiddink also praised Arsenal star Arshavin, who looks like he could win back the captain's armband.
"Let’s not predict what will happen in future. Both Arshavin and Kerzhakov played wonderfully in Helsinki, but I don’t know in which form the candidates to the national team will come in two or three months. They need to prove their worth for a place in the starting eleven all the time," the Dutchman said.
"As everybody knows Andrei Arshavin wore the captain’s band during Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. I deprived him of it after his silly red card in Andorra.
"I think now it’s time for him to get back the armlet back. He is a real captain, he always gives 100 per cent on the pitch and what is also important can speak English. I would like young Russian players to begin studying foreign languages already now, as it will help them in their career."
Ready For Argentina & Messi
Hiddink was also looking forward to the friendly game against Argentina on August 12 in Moscow.
He said, "Next time the national team will gather to prepare for the friendly match against Argentina, which will take place in Moscow on August 12. I was very happy when the Russian Football Union managed to organise this meeting, because it’s very interesting and challenging to play against one of the world’s strongest national teams.
"Argentina represents Latin America, which football school differs from European style. Taking into consideration the next year’s World Championship, where I hope Russia will play, this experience will be very useful.
"I expect to see the full stands at this game. Result of this friendly match is not very significant, but I hope we will see entertaining football from both sides."
The 3-0 win against Finland, a repeat of last autumn’s result, leaves Russia a point behind Germany in second place after six games in Group 4. The Germans visit Moscow on October 10.
The first-placed team in the group qualifies automatically for the 2010 World Cup, to be held in South Africa. The second-placed side will face a play-off match.
Next Up, Liechtenstein
The next qualifying match for the Russian national team is against Liechtenstein and will take place on September 5 in St. Petersburg. The hosts will start pre-match preparations on August 31 or September 1 in Moscow or St. Petersburg.
After the game, the team will make for Cardiff for the qualifying fixture with Wales, which is scheduled for September 9.
"We think that national team should play only in Moscow," said the general director of the Russian Football Union, Alexey Sorokin.
"We are hopeful that we will see the full stands at the match against Liechtenstein in St. Petersburg. People love football very much and a big group of fans from St. Petersburg came to support Russian team at away game against Finland in Helsinki."
UEFA GROUP 4 (after six games)
Germany – 16
Russia – 15
Finland – 10
Wales – 9 (7 games)
Azerbaijan – 1 (5 games)
Liechtenstein – 1
Video
http://en.rian.ru/video/20090611/155228991.html
Con Stamocostas
Showing posts with label Russian Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Russian Football. Show all posts
Friday, June 19, 2009
Russian Football Rocked By Match-Fixing Scandal
On Wednesday, Russia Today reported that the Russian Football Union was investigating claims of match fixing, following suspicious betting patterns during Terek Grozny's 3-2 win against Krylia Sovetov last Saturday.
As reported in the Russian Premier League roundup on Monday, it was a great result for the Chechen side Terek Grozny as they beat a Krylia outfit that were looking to go top.
Romanian Daniel Pancu gave the home team a 2-0 lead, the 31-year-old scoring in the eighth and 38th minutes.
Krylia striker Evgeni Savin then repeated the feat by getting his own double in the 47th and 51st minutes of play to tie the game.
The hero for Terek was Russian defender Sergeiy Bendz, who won the game with a goal in the 85th minute.RIA Novosti said that Russian sports media reported before the game that one individual had staked $400,000 on a Terek win on the Betfair Internet betting exchange.
Furthermore, despite Krylia being eight places above 10th-placed Terek before the match, some 96 per cent of bets placed were on a home victory. After the news broke, a number of bookmakers stopped taking bets on Terek taking all three points and odds for a home victory dropped rapidly with other bookies.
Russian football has often been plagued by rumours of fixed matches, with Terek's 2004 Russian Cup final triumph over, ironically, Krylia, alleged to have been bought for $6 million. The claims have not been proven, however.
RFU President Ashamed
What is a great result to some is match fixing to others. The president of the Russian Football Union, Vitaly Mutko, said he was ashamed of Krylia Sovetov.
“I watched the game and I didn’t like it at all. Every team has its problems. We can say that the flight was difficult, or something else. But every club has its fans, and I am very ashamed of Samara, who has a multimillion army of fans.
The Russian Football Union Commission on Ethics will be analysing this match,” Mutko said to Sportbox.ru.
He added that ultimately it would be a matter for police to deal with.Terek Coach & Chechen President Deny AllegationsTerek's coach Vyacheslav Grozny and the club’s president have denied all the claims, and the Chechen President, and the team’s greatest fan, Ramzan Kadyrov, believes them.“We do not need such fixed victories. I just don’t understand how this is possible. It’s unpleasant even to talk about it. We never rig victories. We are not like that,” Kadyrov said to Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper.
He added that the top teams in the Russian Premier League won’t sell games because they have no shortage of money.
These are interesting developments, as coach Grozny has been critical of referees and was particularly furious after the Chechen side lost 2-1 to Tom Tomsk in West Siberia during matchday seven.After having four goals ruled out in seven games, Grozny had some strong words to say to the Russian media about referees and some “hucksters” that were trying to undermine his team’s cause.
He said, "Someone doesn't want to see Terek in the Premier League. I'm not talking about the Russian Football Union or the Russian Football Premier League [Russian football's governing bodies], but rather some hucksters who don't feature anywhere officially. It looks like there are ways to influence the outcome of games."We are gathering information and will name names."
Krylia Coach Rumoured To Quit
Straight after the match, rumours appeared that Krylia Sovetov coach Leonind Sloutsky would leave his job, despite the club having one of their best seasons in recent years. A win in Grozny would have allowed them to go top of the Russian Premier League ahead of summer break.But the coach himself calmed the fans, announcing that he’ll stay with team.
He also said the Grozny match fitted all the fair play standards, denying the fixing allegations.“This was a real game of football, although, yes, both sides committed a lot of mistakes. As a result, we were losing first, then managed to come back into the game, but in the end conceded a goal. There were a lot of harsh tackles and even injuries. So it’s senseless to speak about match-fixing,” Sloutsky said.
And Krylia’s biggest name, Jan Koller, says he doesn’t believe the game was fixed.The Czech striker didn’t appear on the pitch in the Chechen capital, which also raised suspicions. Later, it was announced that he had suffered an asthma attack.“I don’t think that the Krylia players gave the game away. If I’d found out the game was fixed, I would have left the team,” Koller said.
RPL Won't Investigate
Russian Premier League (RPL) spokesman Igor Budnikov told the press, "There are no grounds on which to carry out an investigation into the match. Furthermore, the RPL is not the organisation to carry out an investigation; this should be done by special bodies. We are, of course, aware that after the game in Grozny there were lots of rumours, but so far there is no proof."
This is not the first scandal involving Terek Grozny. Last year, referees sent an open letter to the RPL and RFU which said they refused to work in Chechnya if cases of psychological and physical pressure on the arbiters continued there.It followed an incident after Terek’s game against Lokomotiv Moscow, when referee Aleksey Kovalev was beaten up by unidentified persons in the Dynamo arena.Back then, Grozny team’s stadium was disqualified and the club was fined 500,000 roubles (around $13,000).
The problem of fixed games exists in Russian football, with one or two suspicious matches every season, says Marc Bennetts, author of 'Football Dynamo - Modern Russia and the People's Game'.
When asked recently by the sports.ru website as to what percentage of teams were involved in fixed matches outside the Premier League, Andrei Panferov, a defender for Far East Russian side SKA-Energiya, said, "Believe me, a lot. Not just one or two sides."If you have money and I have none, and you give me a certain amount, then you will want something in exchange."I'll take the money and do want you want. That's how it has always been, not only in football, but also in general in Russia."
Con Stamocostas
As reported in the Russian Premier League roundup on Monday, it was a great result for the Chechen side Terek Grozny as they beat a Krylia outfit that were looking to go top.
Romanian Daniel Pancu gave the home team a 2-0 lead, the 31-year-old scoring in the eighth and 38th minutes.
Krylia striker Evgeni Savin then repeated the feat by getting his own double in the 47th and 51st minutes of play to tie the game.
The hero for Terek was Russian defender Sergeiy Bendz, who won the game with a goal in the 85th minute.RIA Novosti said that Russian sports media reported before the game that one individual had staked $400,000 on a Terek win on the Betfair Internet betting exchange.
Furthermore, despite Krylia being eight places above 10th-placed Terek before the match, some 96 per cent of bets placed were on a home victory. After the news broke, a number of bookmakers stopped taking bets on Terek taking all three points and odds for a home victory dropped rapidly with other bookies.
Russian football has often been plagued by rumours of fixed matches, with Terek's 2004 Russian Cup final triumph over, ironically, Krylia, alleged to have been bought for $6 million. The claims have not been proven, however.
RFU President Ashamed
What is a great result to some is match fixing to others. The president of the Russian Football Union, Vitaly Mutko, said he was ashamed of Krylia Sovetov.
“I watched the game and I didn’t like it at all. Every team has its problems. We can say that the flight was difficult, or something else. But every club has its fans, and I am very ashamed of Samara, who has a multimillion army of fans.
The Russian Football Union Commission on Ethics will be analysing this match,” Mutko said to Sportbox.ru.
He added that ultimately it would be a matter for police to deal with.Terek Coach & Chechen President Deny AllegationsTerek's coach Vyacheslav Grozny and the club’s president have denied all the claims, and the Chechen President, and the team’s greatest fan, Ramzan Kadyrov, believes them.“We do not need such fixed victories. I just don’t understand how this is possible. It’s unpleasant even to talk about it. We never rig victories. We are not like that,” Kadyrov said to Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper.
He added that the top teams in the Russian Premier League won’t sell games because they have no shortage of money.
These are interesting developments, as coach Grozny has been critical of referees and was particularly furious after the Chechen side lost 2-1 to Tom Tomsk in West Siberia during matchday seven.After having four goals ruled out in seven games, Grozny had some strong words to say to the Russian media about referees and some “hucksters” that were trying to undermine his team’s cause.
He said, "Someone doesn't want to see Terek in the Premier League. I'm not talking about the Russian Football Union or the Russian Football Premier League [Russian football's governing bodies], but rather some hucksters who don't feature anywhere officially. It looks like there are ways to influence the outcome of games."We are gathering information and will name names."
Krylia Coach Rumoured To Quit
Straight after the match, rumours appeared that Krylia Sovetov coach Leonind Sloutsky would leave his job, despite the club having one of their best seasons in recent years. A win in Grozny would have allowed them to go top of the Russian Premier League ahead of summer break.But the coach himself calmed the fans, announcing that he’ll stay with team.
He also said the Grozny match fitted all the fair play standards, denying the fixing allegations.“This was a real game of football, although, yes, both sides committed a lot of mistakes. As a result, we were losing first, then managed to come back into the game, but in the end conceded a goal. There were a lot of harsh tackles and even injuries. So it’s senseless to speak about match-fixing,” Sloutsky said.
And Krylia’s biggest name, Jan Koller, says he doesn’t believe the game was fixed.The Czech striker didn’t appear on the pitch in the Chechen capital, which also raised suspicions. Later, it was announced that he had suffered an asthma attack.“I don’t think that the Krylia players gave the game away. If I’d found out the game was fixed, I would have left the team,” Koller said.
RPL Won't Investigate
Russian Premier League (RPL) spokesman Igor Budnikov told the press, "There are no grounds on which to carry out an investigation into the match. Furthermore, the RPL is not the organisation to carry out an investigation; this should be done by special bodies. We are, of course, aware that after the game in Grozny there were lots of rumours, but so far there is no proof."
This is not the first scandal involving Terek Grozny. Last year, referees sent an open letter to the RPL and RFU which said they refused to work in Chechnya if cases of psychological and physical pressure on the arbiters continued there.It followed an incident after Terek’s game against Lokomotiv Moscow, when referee Aleksey Kovalev was beaten up by unidentified persons in the Dynamo arena.Back then, Grozny team’s stadium was disqualified and the club was fined 500,000 roubles (around $13,000).
The problem of fixed games exists in Russian football, with one or two suspicious matches every season, says Marc Bennetts, author of 'Football Dynamo - Modern Russia and the People's Game'.
When asked recently by the sports.ru website as to what percentage of teams were involved in fixed matches outside the Premier League, Andrei Panferov, a defender for Far East Russian side SKA-Energiya, said, "Believe me, a lot. Not just one or two sides."If you have money and I have none, and you give me a certain amount, then you will want something in exchange."I'll take the money and do want you want. That's how it has always been, not only in football, but also in general in Russia."
Con Stamocostas
Friday, June 5, 2009
Guus Hiddink: I Missed Russia
Fresh from FA Cup glory, 'Tsar Guus' looks forward to the crucial World Cup qualifier against Finland
Russia coach Guus Hiddink spoke to Russian newspaper Sport-Express about how he missed the country during his half-season stint at Chelsea."
You cannot even imagine how I missed Russia; in the morning while going to the airport I anticipated my meeting with the Russian capital," he said.
"I am looking forward to seeing all my friends and those working with me in the national squad.
"As you can see I arrived to the hotel a bit earlier than others. But in the evening when everybody comes I will communicate with them with pleasure.
"After London I went to Amsterdam to see my father. He was seriously ill for several months but now fortunately is pulling through.
"He has a smile on the face and I am happy to see it. I visited him on Tuesday."
Renewed Energy
The former Australia, South Korea and Netherlands boss continued, "I am having much energy still and after London I am already fully focused on the affairs of the Russian team.
"Recently I worked in very hard conditions. Starting from February I had only five days off, can you imagine?
"I get power from people I communicate with. When you really enjoy what you are doing you never feel tired.
"Last weekend we closed the chapter of my English career very efficiently. I think we can be glad with our results. Chelsea advanced in the overall standings and thus secured a direct way to the Champions League.
"The club won the English [FA] Cup and I think we looked quite good in the main European Cup."
Just Rumours
Hiddink then dismissed the suggestion that he would stay on at Stamford Bridge in an advisory role, and refused to comment on the club's reported interest in CSKA Moscow star Yuri Zhirkov.
"There are only rumours that I am going to continue my cooperation with Chelsea. I am not having any official position in the club," he said.
"And even if I am going to arrive to London I will do it only in order to see the Russian players in the English Premier League.
"I know the rumours about possible transfer of Yuri Zhirkov to Chelsea but I won’t comment on this. I am here not to discuss it but to work with the national team."
Kerzhakov & Aldonin Impress
The Dutch tactician has recalled Dynamo Moscow forward Alexander Kerzhakov to the Russian team for the first time since Euro 2008.
The 26-year-old scored twice against Tomsk on the weekend in the Russian Premier League. CSKA’s Eugeni Aldonin also has been in good form, scoring a Russian Cup-winning goal over the weekend against Rubin Kazan.
"After Kerzhakov and Aldonin were capped for the national team they were much inspired that showed great display last weekend," Hiddink said.
"I am happy that the call-up to the national team added so many positive emotions. Both these players have been showing football of a high class and that made me invite them to the squad.
"I always follow the principle: if a player deserves a cap he will get it. When Kerzhakov returned from Spain he was not in his best form. And I did not invite him because of this.
"And now the forward looks fresh and plays efficiently, and can help the national team, so how could I possibly leave him out?
"Aldonin, Kerzhakov and [Vladimir] Bystrov can even appear in the starting line-up but on the other hand there are variants when they can be left on the bench."
Starting XI Undecided
Hiddink confessed that he did not yet have a crystal-clear idea of how Russia would line up for their World Cup qualifier against Finland on June 10.
"I have not yet decided the starting eleven. I have several questions that can be answered only during the training sessions," he said.
"In particular I should see how the newly arrived will look. One cannot forget that [Dimitri] Torbinsky and [Diniyar] Bilyaletdinov are sidelined because of injuries and Semak missed the Russian Cup final for the same reason. Moreover, Aleksandr Anyukov is suspended and that is a big loss for us.
"I know the group standings very well and realise that the draw will guarantee a second place in the group for us and thus a play-off match.
"But we are thinking only about the victory. And we understand that the match in Helsinki will be very difficult, they played well against Germany that managed to tie the game with great difficult.
"I am sure the coming match is one of the key games in the current World Cup qualifications. And we are going to Helsinki to win three points."
Kolodin: Three Points The Target
Dynamo and Russia defender Denis Kolodin spoke to Sport-Express about the upcoming clash in Helsinki.
"Now I think only about our rivalry with the German side for the top-spot in our qualifying group," he said.
If we want to head the group standings, it’s necessary to beat our opponents Finland, Wales, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein and Germany. But if we lose points in Helsinki, it will be very hard to fight for the top spot.
"Having lost points in Helsinki Germany outplayed all their rivals, including Wales in away clash. Russia will have to play against Wales, so we have no right to fail in Helsinki."
Con Stamocostas, Goal.com
Russia coach Guus Hiddink spoke to Russian newspaper Sport-Express about how he missed the country during his half-season stint at Chelsea."
You cannot even imagine how I missed Russia; in the morning while going to the airport I anticipated my meeting with the Russian capital," he said.
"I am looking forward to seeing all my friends and those working with me in the national squad.
"As you can see I arrived to the hotel a bit earlier than others. But in the evening when everybody comes I will communicate with them with pleasure.
"After London I went to Amsterdam to see my father. He was seriously ill for several months but now fortunately is pulling through.
"He has a smile on the face and I am happy to see it. I visited him on Tuesday."
Renewed Energy
The former Australia, South Korea and Netherlands boss continued, "I am having much energy still and after London I am already fully focused on the affairs of the Russian team.
"Recently I worked in very hard conditions. Starting from February I had only five days off, can you imagine?
"I get power from people I communicate with. When you really enjoy what you are doing you never feel tired.
"Last weekend we closed the chapter of my English career very efficiently. I think we can be glad with our results. Chelsea advanced in the overall standings and thus secured a direct way to the Champions League.
"The club won the English [FA] Cup and I think we looked quite good in the main European Cup."
Just Rumours
Hiddink then dismissed the suggestion that he would stay on at Stamford Bridge in an advisory role, and refused to comment on the club's reported interest in CSKA Moscow star Yuri Zhirkov.
"There are only rumours that I am going to continue my cooperation with Chelsea. I am not having any official position in the club," he said.
"And even if I am going to arrive to London I will do it only in order to see the Russian players in the English Premier League.
"I know the rumours about possible transfer of Yuri Zhirkov to Chelsea but I won’t comment on this. I am here not to discuss it but to work with the national team."
Kerzhakov & Aldonin Impress
The Dutch tactician has recalled Dynamo Moscow forward Alexander Kerzhakov to the Russian team for the first time since Euro 2008.
The 26-year-old scored twice against Tomsk on the weekend in the Russian Premier League. CSKA’s Eugeni Aldonin also has been in good form, scoring a Russian Cup-winning goal over the weekend against Rubin Kazan.
"After Kerzhakov and Aldonin were capped for the national team they were much inspired that showed great display last weekend," Hiddink said.
"I am happy that the call-up to the national team added so many positive emotions. Both these players have been showing football of a high class and that made me invite them to the squad.
"I always follow the principle: if a player deserves a cap he will get it. When Kerzhakov returned from Spain he was not in his best form. And I did not invite him because of this.
"And now the forward looks fresh and plays efficiently, and can help the national team, so how could I possibly leave him out?
"Aldonin, Kerzhakov and [Vladimir] Bystrov can even appear in the starting line-up but on the other hand there are variants when they can be left on the bench."
Starting XI Undecided
Hiddink confessed that he did not yet have a crystal-clear idea of how Russia would line up for their World Cup qualifier against Finland on June 10.
"I have not yet decided the starting eleven. I have several questions that can be answered only during the training sessions," he said.
"In particular I should see how the newly arrived will look. One cannot forget that [Dimitri] Torbinsky and [Diniyar] Bilyaletdinov are sidelined because of injuries and Semak missed the Russian Cup final for the same reason. Moreover, Aleksandr Anyukov is suspended and that is a big loss for us.
"I know the group standings very well and realise that the draw will guarantee a second place in the group for us and thus a play-off match.
"But we are thinking only about the victory. And we understand that the match in Helsinki will be very difficult, they played well against Germany that managed to tie the game with great difficult.
"I am sure the coming match is one of the key games in the current World Cup qualifications. And we are going to Helsinki to win three points."
Kolodin: Three Points The Target
Dynamo and Russia defender Denis Kolodin spoke to Sport-Express about the upcoming clash in Helsinki.
"Now I think only about our rivalry with the German side for the top-spot in our qualifying group," he said.
If we want to head the group standings, it’s necessary to beat our opponents Finland, Wales, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein and Germany. But if we lose points in Helsinki, it will be very hard to fight for the top spot.
"Having lost points in Helsinki Germany outplayed all their rivals, including Wales in away clash. Russia will have to play against Wales, so we have no right to fail in Helsinki."
Con Stamocostas, Goal.com
Monday, June 1, 2009
CSKA Triumph Over Rubin To Win Russian Cup
Zico has added to his cups wins in Brazil, Japan, Turkey and Uzbekistan, with victory in Khimi.
1 Jun 2009
CSKA Moscow beat league champions Rubin Kazan 1-0 in the Russian Cup final on Sunday.
The Army Men achieved back-to-back Russian Cups and their fifth Rambler title overall.
CSKA’s Russian international midfielder Yevgeny Aldonin won the game right at the death, the 29-year-old scoring one minute into added time.
The two clubs met in the Russian Super Cup right at the beginning of the season and CSKA took that match 2-1. So, Rubin were looking to exact revenge against the capital outfit.
The Super Cup was held at the Luzhniki stadium but this time the final took place in the Arena-Khimki stadium near Moscow. Cup finals have traditionally been held at the Luzhniki, but as CSKA play the majority of their home games at that venue (which has an artificial pitch), the Russian Football Union felt that they would have an unfair advantage.
Lokomotiv Moscow's 28,000-capacity ground could not be used as they were playing Spartak Moscow in the Russian Premier League over the same weekend.
Rubin, who are top of the Rusian Premier League with a two-point lead over second-placed CSKA, hail from Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, some 770 kms (450 miles) from Moscow.
Right before the game, Rubin’s Turkish midfielder Gokdeniz Karadeniz said that the former Red Army side had an advantage in the final.
"Even if the game is taking place in Khimki you must understand that it doesn't change much," he told Sport-Express. "Our opponents will feel at home there. After all, their fans won't have to travel a whole day on the train to get to the game."
CSKA manager Zico also spoke to the newspaper before the game.
"I've managed to win quite a few cups in Brazil, Japan, Turkey and Uzbekistan," he said. "I hope I'll be able to add the Russian Cup to that collection on Sunday."
CSKA went looking for early goals and created some danger in Rubin’s box in the opening minute.
However, the Army Men did it the hard way, with the Moscow club reduced to 10 men in only the 13th minute, after Russian under-21 international midfielder Pavel Mamayev was sent off after bringing down Argentine playmaker Alejandro Dominguez as the last man.
Rubin didn’t give up their cautious play, despite the advantage in numbers. They controlled the ball well, but it was CSKA who created the biggest chances of the half.
Kazan 'keeper Sergey Ryzhikov produced a skilful save from a header that Niger striker Moussa Maazou connected well with, the cross coming courtesy of a free kick by Brazilian attacker Daniel Carvalho.
The game remained equal in the second half. It seemed that Rubin were waiting for CSKA to get tired and/or make a mistake.
A draw and extra time was looming as normal time was coming to an end. Then Yevgeny Aldonin announced himself as the hero. The midfielder launched a powerful shot from outside the box in the first minute of stoppage time, slotting the ball straight into the lower corner and leaving Ryzhikov no chance.
There were four minutes left to play, but shocked Rubin failed to grab an equaliser, meaning CSKA lifted the Russian Cup for the second year in a row.
CSKA boss Zico, who took over at the club in January, has now won his first Russian trophy.
The Rubin Kazan coach, Kurban Berdyev, was gracious in defeat when he spoke to Sport-Express:
"I congratulate the Army Men with a well-deserved victory. The international experience they have is an invaluable thing, which is especially necessary for such matches. And this experience paid off today. In such games it’s important to endure and to play to the end. These are the things we must learn from CSKA."
The Army Men will now have the trophy in permanent keeping as they have won it for the fifth time.
Con Stamocostas, Goal.com
1 Jun 2009
CSKA Moscow beat league champions Rubin Kazan 1-0 in the Russian Cup final on Sunday.
The Army Men achieved back-to-back Russian Cups and their fifth Rambler title overall.
CSKA’s Russian international midfielder Yevgeny Aldonin won the game right at the death, the 29-year-old scoring one minute into added time.
The two clubs met in the Russian Super Cup right at the beginning of the season and CSKA took that match 2-1. So, Rubin were looking to exact revenge against the capital outfit.
The Super Cup was held at the Luzhniki stadium but this time the final took place in the Arena-Khimki stadium near Moscow. Cup finals have traditionally been held at the Luzhniki, but as CSKA play the majority of their home games at that venue (which has an artificial pitch), the Russian Football Union felt that they would have an unfair advantage.
Lokomotiv Moscow's 28,000-capacity ground could not be used as they were playing Spartak Moscow in the Russian Premier League over the same weekend.
Rubin, who are top of the Rusian Premier League with a two-point lead over second-placed CSKA, hail from Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, some 770 kms (450 miles) from Moscow.
Right before the game, Rubin’s Turkish midfielder Gokdeniz Karadeniz said that the former Red Army side had an advantage in the final.
"Even if the game is taking place in Khimki you must understand that it doesn't change much," he told Sport-Express. "Our opponents will feel at home there. After all, their fans won't have to travel a whole day on the train to get to the game."
CSKA manager Zico also spoke to the newspaper before the game.
"I've managed to win quite a few cups in Brazil, Japan, Turkey and Uzbekistan," he said. "I hope I'll be able to add the Russian Cup to that collection on Sunday."
CSKA went looking for early goals and created some danger in Rubin’s box in the opening minute.
However, the Army Men did it the hard way, with the Moscow club reduced to 10 men in only the 13th minute, after Russian under-21 international midfielder Pavel Mamayev was sent off after bringing down Argentine playmaker Alejandro Dominguez as the last man.
Rubin didn’t give up their cautious play, despite the advantage in numbers. They controlled the ball well, but it was CSKA who created the biggest chances of the half.
Kazan 'keeper Sergey Ryzhikov produced a skilful save from a header that Niger striker Moussa Maazou connected well with, the cross coming courtesy of a free kick by Brazilian attacker Daniel Carvalho.
The game remained equal in the second half. It seemed that Rubin were waiting for CSKA to get tired and/or make a mistake.
A draw and extra time was looming as normal time was coming to an end. Then Yevgeny Aldonin announced himself as the hero. The midfielder launched a powerful shot from outside the box in the first minute of stoppage time, slotting the ball straight into the lower corner and leaving Ryzhikov no chance.
There were four minutes left to play, but shocked Rubin failed to grab an equaliser, meaning CSKA lifted the Russian Cup for the second year in a row.
CSKA boss Zico, who took over at the club in January, has now won his first Russian trophy.
The Rubin Kazan coach, Kurban Berdyev, was gracious in defeat when he spoke to Sport-Express:
"I congratulate the Army Men with a well-deserved victory. The international experience they have is an invaluable thing, which is especially necessary for such matches. And this experience paid off today. In such games it’s important to endure and to play to the end. These are the things we must learn from CSKA."
The Army Men will now have the trophy in permanent keeping as they have won it for the fifth time.
Con Stamocostas, Goal.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)