Guus Hiddink recently conceded that sometimes there’s a “lack of pragmatism” among the “new” Russia side he’s attempting to steer towards the World Cup finals in South Africa. He may just as well have been saying his squad don’t always get the job done, something that happened at the Luzhniki Stadium last night where Slovenia substitute, Nejc Pechnik, struck late on to give the central European nation a lifeline in the return leg of this World Cup play-off next week.
For 88mins it looked like Dinijar Bilyaletdinov had sealed a good win for the home team with two goals, instead, Russia will hold only a fragile lead when the sides reconvene in Maribor on Wednesday.
SCRAPPY
Just like in the last game of their group stage fixtures against Germany, Russia were scrappy in the first half and, despite being cheered on by a raucous home support, didn’t seem prepared to play to their strengths – namely the quick, fluid passing game that impressed so many at Euro 2008.
Instead, Russia spent the opening 45 minutes trying to hit lone-striker Roman Pavlyuchenko early and with almost universally poor service.
Perhaps they were concerned with the stats their opposition could lay out before them? In ten group-stage games, Slovenia had conceded just four times and boasted a goal difference that was bettered only by Germany, Spain, England and Ukraine.
But someone – Hiddink himself perhaps – should have mentioned to the Russians that the Dutchman has never failed to reach the finals with any national team he’s coached and thus shown more faith in themselves
As it was, Slovenia sought to flat-bat anything the home team could muster and even had the better of the opening 10mins. Valter Birsa’s close-range volley from Novakovic’s pullback went over for a corner due only to a good block in the six-yard box.
The rest of the half passed untidily and almost without incident until Bilyaletdinov, who had ghosted into a central position in the box and skilfully turned two markers before rifling into the net five minutes before the break.
Before that, the best moment had come from Yuri Zhirkov who tested the keeper after a spectacular 50 yard slalom run.
Ironically, Bilyaletdinov had been woefully anonymous until his goal but it was brilliantly taken. Also, it was the half’s only real move of genuine quality so a very passive Slovenia could have little complaints finishing the half one-down. Russia had been the better team though their goal masked an anaemic performance.
NEW-FOUND CONFIDENCE
The second half though saw Russia far more focused and willing to take the fight to the visitors. Almost instantly they threatened Slovenia’s goal from a lovely move, working the ball cross field Zhirkov swung-in a cross that Arshavin headed over.
Minutes later Zhirkov, who gave Russia width and options all game, whipped in another cross for Pavlyuchenko whose effort was blocked.
Only six minutes after the restart, Bilyaletdinov doubled Russia’s lead. Arshavin, played in by Pavlyuchenko’s clever reverse, found the Everton winger in the box. Though his touch was heavy, poor defending saw the ball come back to him and he finished smartly.
It was the first time Slovenia had conceded twice in this World Cup qualifying campaign and, with those two goals, Russia found their self-belief.
Now the men in red (well, burgundy – a kit had been designed specially for the occasion) were dominating the play but they looked more threatening still whenever they persisted with their rat-a-tat-tat passing style. Substitute Vladimir Bystrov wasted a decent chance trying to lob Handanovic while Pavlyuchenko had his diving header held.
COMPLACENCY
As the game wore on Russia grew in cohesion but with this new-found confidence came a little relaxation. Consequently, Slovenia finished the match on top. Four minutes from time Novakovic and Pechnik snatched at half-chances in the box. A minute later and Pechnik had the ball in the net.
Called into action for only the first time in the game, Akinfeev could only palm Robert Koren’s speculative effort towards Pechnik who’d been left unattended by Zhirkov – his only mistake of the match.
And deep into injury time Akinfeev produced a brilliant save from Suler that could easily have been the equaliser.
Surely Slovenia can’t play any worse in Wednesday’s second-leg and will now be boosted by what might prove a crucial away-goal. Though they’re the superior team, Russia’s confidence may well have been dealt a fatal blow and they now face a stern test of their mettle that, as time seems to prove, can easily dissolve into the air.