Bilyaletdinov edges Russia in front
Saturday, November 14, 2009
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Russia 2-1 Slovenia
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov struck in both halves for Guus Hiddink's side only for Nejc Pečnik's late header to breathe life back into the tie.
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Diniyar Bilyaletdinov struck in either half for Russia only for Nejc Pečnik's late header to ensure Slovenia head into the return in Maribor with only a 2-1 deficit.
Two-goal lead
Guus Hiddink's men appeared set to take a commanding lead into the second leg after Everton midfielder Bilyaletdinov scored on 40 and 52 minutes. But substitute Pečnik hauled the tie back into the balance with two minutes remaining at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow ahead of Wednesday's return.
Early efforts
Slovenia showed no signs of wilting in the partisan atmosphere early on but were less assured when Yuri Zhirkov conjured the first significant opportunity, gliding past the visiting defence before being denied by the outstretched boot of Samir Handanovič after 14 minutes. Zlatko Dedič offered a promising response, only for his effort to find the side-netting after beating home custodian Igor Akinfeev.
Russia goals
The boots of Handanovič remained busier than his gloves as he deflected away a swerving Sergei Ignashevich free-kick, but with the home side becoming increasingly dangerous the breakthrough was not long in coming. The move was cunning enough to open up any defence, Roman Pavlyuchenko providing a neat reverse pass into Bilyaletdinov, with the midfielder shaping to come inside before wrong-footing Marko Šuler and Bostjan Cesar and rifling into the top corner past a motionless Handanovič. Pavlyuchenko was also influential in the second goal with a similar pass releasing Andrei Arshavin, and although Bilyaletdinov failed to control his captain's cross initially, he was presented with a second chance that was tidily dispatched inside the near post.
Akinfeev heroics
Both Pavlyuchenko and Bilyaletdinov could have extended the lead with headers before Matjaž Kek's men stunned Russia. Akinfeev made a wonderful save to keep out Robert Koren's drive but was helpless as Pečnik nodded in the follow-up, and it could have been worse for Russia had the goalkeeper not made another breathtaking stop in added time to deny Šuler.