Khokhlov decisive for Russia

Cyprus 0-1 Russia
A solitary goal from Dmitri Khokhlov was enough to give Russia victory against Cyprus in the Cyprus Football Association's International tournament in Nicosia.

Intense pressure
Khokhlov struck two minutes before half-time to reward his side for the intense pressure to which they subjected the Cypriot defence throughout the first half. Strong winds delayed the kick-off by ten minutes but once the action got under way it was all Russia. Valery Karpin created the first opportunity in the 17th minute when he crossed for Dmitri Sytchev - but the 19-year-old Olympique de Marseille striker put his shot wide.

Cool Khokhlov
Khokhlov watched Vladimir Beschastnykh head his cross wide from seven metres out then missed the target himself moments later, skewering his 18-metre effort narrowly over the bar. Sytchev missed again on 33 minutes but the Russian pressure finally told when Khokhlov cut in from the right, beat two defenders and found the far corner of the net.

Midfield tussle
Much of the second half was played in midfield, although Aleksandr Kerzhakov twice went close for Russia while the best Cyprus could muster was a long-range effort from Michalis Konstantinou that goalkeeper Veniamin Mandrykin stopped comfortably.