Spot luck fails Russia in Baku
Wednesday 14 October 2009
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Russia's Vladimir Bystrov (left) takes on Azerbaijan's Rail Melikov (©Getty Images)
Sergei Ignashevich failed to convert a late penalty as an experimental Russia had to settle for a 1-1 Group 4 draw in Azerbaijan, Vagif Dzavadov cancelling out Andrei Arshavin's opener.
Seven changes
Guus Hiddink made seven changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Germany on Saturday in a game which condemned Russia to second place in the FIFA World Cup qualifying section, FC Rubin Kazan debutant Aleksandr Bukharo among the players brought in.
On the rebound
Dzavadov threatened early on but Russia hit back with force. Alan Dzagoev linked up with Dmitri Torbinskiy and unleashed a 13th-minute shot which rebounded for captain Arshavin to finish. Dzavadov, Azerbaijan's main threat throughout, then drew a diving save from Igor Akinfeev who also blocked Aleksandr Chertoganov's point-blank header to maintain Russia's lead.
Awkward bounce
Vladimir Bystrov hit the bar for Russia late in the first half, but Azerbaijan responded in style. Dzavadov's brilliant long-range drive on 54 minutes deceived Akinfeev with the help of an awkward bounce, but the hosts' luck seemed to have deserted them when Dzagoev won a penalty on 81 minutes. However, Ignashevich's effort allowed Karman Aghaev to make a comfortable save.
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