Dedič fires Slovenia to South Africa

A lone Zlatko Dedič strike earned Slovenia a narrow but deserved victory against Russia and a place at next summer's FIFA World Cup in South Africa on away goals.

Eight-year wait
Winners of two of their three previous play-offs, Slovenia earned themselves passage to their first major finals since the 2002 edition of the same competition in Japan and South Korea thanks to Dedič's 44th-minute strike. Russia had offered little in attack prior to Aleksandr Kerzhakov's 66th-minute dismissal, after which point they pressed hard for an equaliser with Yuri Zhirkov, who was also sent off in added time, forcing Samir Handanovič into a fine save as time ebbed away.

Early openings
Perhaps still regretting the concession of Nejc Pečnik's late header on Saturday, Russia made a nervy start and were twice fortunate not to fall behind early on. Milivoje Novakovič managed to spring the offside trap after three minutes but, with just Igor Akinfeev to beat, fired straight at the goalkeeper. Shortly afterwards, Novakovič's left-wing cross was turned on to his own post by Sergei Ignashevich.

Deadlock broken
The visitors gradually settled although Slovenia still looked the more likely to break the deadlock, with Novakovič the next to threaten when he forced Akinfeev into a low save. Just as Russia seemed set to end the half still leading the tie, Slovenia gained the breakthrough they so desperately craved as Dedič found space between Aleksandr Anyukov and Vasili Berezutski to poke in Valter Birsa's inswinging cross.

Kerzhakov dismissed
The early moments of the second period were somewhat open as Guus Hiddink's side found the urgency missing from their first-half display. Slovenia, however, continued to fashion chances and Dedič hooked an effort wide under pressure from Berezutski, before Russia were reduced to ten men when Kerzhakov was shown a straight red card for tangling with Handanovič. Despite late Pavel Pogrebnyak and Zhirkov attempts, there was no way back for Russia.