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Saturday 9 June 2012

Football: Russians thrash Czechs at Euro 2012

WROCLAW, Poland: A vibrant Russia took command of Group A on the opening day of the European Championships with a 4-1 win over the Czech Republic here on Friday.

Alan Dzagoev notched a brace with Roman Shirokov and Roman Pavlyuchenko grabbing one each as Russia went two points clear at the top of the group following the earlier 1-1 draw between co-hosts Poland and Greece.

It was a statement of intent from a team many are starting to regard as more than just outsiders for overall victory.

For the Czechs though, Vaclav Pilar's strike was scant consolation from a poor showing.


Russia seemed disjointed at the beginning and it was the Czechs who bossed the opening exchanges as Dick Advocaat's team struggled to find their rhythm.

But once they did, they carved Michal Bilek's team open in ruthless fashion.

A clever backheel from Arshavin set Yuri Zhirkov free at the byline and his cross found Aleksandr Kerzhakov, but he couldn't direct his side-footed finish on target.

Yet within 60 seconds, Russia were in front.


Dzagoev capitaised on two Czechs bumping into each other in midfield to surge forwards and release Konstantin Zyryanov down the right.

He picked out Kerzhakov at the back post and when his header came back off the upright it was Dzagoev who arrived on the scene in the right place and at the right time to drill home.

Dzagoev then wasted a great chance as he took a wild swing when played in on the right by Kerzhakov.

But on 23 minutes it was two as Arshavin played an incisive ball into the box and although it was an inch too far in front of Kerzhakov, Shirokov sneaked in around the back to dink the ball over Petr Cech.

The Czechs produced little in terms of clear-cut chances but Jan Rezek flicked a header into Vyacheslav Malafeev's arms before sending a weak shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Another sweeping Russian move with Shirokov breaking from deep ended with Kerzhakov blazing high over the bar.


The second period began with a strangely muted atmosphere but seven minutes in it was livened up as Jaroslav Plasil sliced open the Russian defence and Pilar skipped around Malafeev before sliding the ball home.

Arshavin, enjoying one of his more productive games, cleverly clipped in Kerzhakov but the Zenit St Petersburg striker screwed his effort wide of the far post.

His next two efforts were so awful that he was roundly jeered before Advocaat put him out of his misery and brought on Pavlyuchenko instead.

Czech full-back Theodor Gebre Selassie produced a showreel moment with a spectacular volley into the side-netting and Malafeev got down well to clutch a thumped Tomas Rosicky effort at the second attempt.

But 11 minutes from time, Dzagoev effectively sealed the points with a rising finish from Pavlyuchenko's pass.

And then Pavlyuchenko added an individual effort from the edge of the box following dogged persistence.

Football: Singapore 2 Malaysia 2

SINGAPORE - It was just another game, they said. The result did not matter, it is an opportunity to experiment, a friendly.

Even if there were any who were convinced by words thrown out by both camps ahead of the Causeway Challenge, there are none after Friday night.

Singapore came back from the dead to draw 2-2 with old rivals Malaysia in a match that saw crunching tackles, elbows thrown and words exchanged - and a couple of spectacular goals.


The evening that started with a Malaysian fans clashing with their Singapore counterparts in an all-out brawl outside the stadium, ended with Malaysian reserve goalkeeper Farizal Malias having to be pulled away from the fourth official - on two occasions.

"The hype is there despite this being a friendly... we knew it was going to be a physical and tough match, and it was. We started slow, absorbed everything and played well in between -- until the last five minutes," said Malaysia coach K Rajagobal.

"We should be satisfied with the result, but we deserved to win."

Azamuddin Akil scored in the 43rd minute after an exquisite Norshahrul Idlan Talaha dummy left him inside the six-yard box with only the goalkeeper to beat.


And Malaysia looked like running away with the match just 15 minutes after the break, when skipper Safiq Rahim left Izwan Mahbud rooted to the spot with a well-struck freekick.

But Singapore launched a comeback, with a little help from Hong Kong referee Ng Kai Lam. He awarded a hotly disputed indirect freekick inside the box, after Qiu Li saw his 84th minute penalty saved, an offer Shahdan Sulaiman accepted, his shot finding the top corner.

Qiu Li made amends for that penalty miss in stoppage time with a training ground routine. His cracking drive off a Shahdan freekick brought the 5,900 at Jalan Besar to their feet, and sent Malaysian tempers flaring.

"I'm happy but we can be better. We dominated the first period and should have scored a few goals," said Radojko Avramovic.

"I've no problem whatever the result, I just wanted to look at the quality that we have. With a bit of exposure some players will come through."

Singapore started the match with an experimental team without the likes of Fahrudin Mustafic, Qiu Li, Shi Jiayi and Daniel Bennett, but the team made entirely up of LionsXII players displayed potential for the future.

But with players missing the return leg due to National Service commitments, it will be a different Singapore side that starts at the Shah Alam Stadium on Tuesday.

And Malaysia are promising another fiery affair.

Said Rajagobal: "I don't have to motivate my players any more, this result motivates them already."