Point assures Russia of progress
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Article summary
Netherlands 0-0 Russia Ravil Sabitov's side reached the U19 finals for the first time having secured first place in Group 3 by a single goal.
Article body
Russia claimed a place in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals for the first time by the narrowest of margins as a goalless draw against the Netherlands secured first place in Elite round Group 3.
Point secured
Ravil Sabitov's side went into their third and final fixture at Damson Park in Solihull level with their opponents on six points but top of the section by virtue of having scored a goal more. Either side might have won in a closely-contested fixture in which five Russian players picked up a yellow card, but ultimately Russia, who last qualified for the finals in 2000 when it was a U18 event, held firm to earn the point that assures them of a place in this July's tournament in Austria.
