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Saturday November 14, 2009 Finished Luzhniki

2 - 1

Russia

Bilyaletdinov 40’, 52’

Slovenia

Pecnik 87’

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Russia pegged back late on

Two goals from Diniyar Bilyaletdinov gave Russia a 2-1 win over Slovenia in a World Cup qualification play-off. More

Live Commentary
Time:90'
- Russia
- Slovenia
- 90+3' Full-time. Russia 2-1 Slovenia.
- 90' Great save from Akinfeev denies Suler an equaliser. Incredible finish!
- 88' GOAL FOR SLOVENIA! Pecnik heads home from inside the six-yard box. A lifeline for the visitors!
- 87' Pecnik skews an attempt wide of goal...
- 86' Bilyaletdinov almost has a hat-trick but the Russian's header goes narrowly over the bar.
- 83' Third and final change for Slovenia. Pecnik is on in place of Kirm.
- 82' Sychev's wasted no time in getting involved! The sub's booked for bringing down Koren!
- 79' Another substitution for Russia. Sychev is on for Pavlyuchenko.
- 78' A goal for the visitors could change everything ahead of next Wednesday's second leg...
- 76' It's a second change for Slovenia. Birsa makes way for Stevanovic.
- 73' Russia are looking very comfortable at the moment. They seem much more likely to get the game's third goal and, if they do, it's almost Goodnight as far as Slovenia are concerned.
- 69' Another attempt from Pavlyuchenko, this time a diving header, is straight at the keeper.
- 66' Change for Slovenia. Ljubijankic is on for Dedic.
- 65' Pavlyuchenko fires a shot straight at Handanovic. The ball bounces off the keeper but no-one is available to capitalise for Russia.
- 62' Novakovic takes the fight to the Russians as Slovenia look for a way back.
- 60' Change for Russia. Bystrov is on for Semak.
- 55' Leo S, Arshavin certainly made contact with Brecko but I don't think it merited anything more than a yellow card. I've only seen the incident once and I may be proved wrong but Brecko's reaction was ridiculous.
- 53' It's only what the home side deserve - they've been all over the visitors at the start of the second half.
- 51' 2-0 RUSSIA! Bilyaletdinov is on target again! The Everton man squeezed his shot in at the near post.
- 50' What a hit from Ignashevich! The defender clubbed a free-kick at goal and it took an excellent save from Handanovic to deny Russia a second goal.
- 48' Pavlyuchenko's shot from close range is deflected into the arms of Handanovic. The striker's attempt lacked conviction.
- 47' Arshavin is not known for his heading game and that's why! The Gunner makes a hash of a cross from Pavlyuchenko.
- 45' Slovenia get the second half underway...
- - ...and they're soon joined by Slovenia.
- - Russia are back out for the start of the second half...
- 45+2' The referee blow his whistle for half-time. Russia lead 1-0 after an entertaining half was capped by a wonderful goal by Bilyaletdinov.
- 45+1' Order has been restored with a yellow card handed to Andrei Arshavin. The Arsenal forward reacted to a challenge by Brecko before both teams got involved.
- 45' There's all sorts going on on the far touchline! The referee is in the middle of a melée!
- 44' Russia, not surprisingly, seem a lot happier with life now.
- 43' Coming so close to the interval that goal must have knocked the stuffing out of Slovenia.
- 41' GOAL FOR RUSSIA! Bilyaletdinov (Billy to his mates) gives Russia the lead with a wonderful turn and finish. Receiving the ball on the edge of the area, the Everton forward turned two men before firing past Handanovic with his right foot. Beautiful!
- 39' Danger averted. The ball is back in the hands of Handanovic.
- 38' Another free-kick in a dangerous position for Russia after Zyryanov is fouled...
- 36' Meanwhile, in Moscow, Russia continue to huff and puff but without looking yet like they're going to blow the Slovenian house down.
- 35' There's no actual prize obviously - just the knowledge, Rushad, that you're better than the rest.
- 34' Top marks to everyone who answered the Hiddink question correctly. You're a knowledgable bunch. Rushad's embellishment sees him claim the top prize though.
- 32' Ignashevich's ferocious kick is cleared by Handanovic, at the expense of a corner.
- 31' Pavlyuchenko is fouled 30 yards from goal. Free-kick to Russia...
- 30' Russia are the more composed in possession but Slovenia retain a definite threat on the break.
- 29' Both defences are on top for the time being...
- 26' Dedic is played in but, under pressure from Akinfeev, he passes the ball into the side netting. Slovenia are having joy turning the Russian defence with balls over the top.
- 25' Arshavin's free-kick into the area is cleared by the men in white.
- 23' Arshavin shows his frustration after being squeezed out of play...
- 22' Russia are dominating possession but, the Zhirkov opportunity aside, have had little to trouble the visitors...
- 20' Everton's Bilyaletdinov tries a defence-splitting pass but the Slovenian backline are alive to the danger.
- 18' Semak is the next Russian to sky his shot from distance...
- 17' It appears that absolutely no-one has any interest in Guus Hiddink related trivia! Shame on you I say!
- 16' Pavlyuchenko fires high over the bar from the edge of the area. You could excuse his rustiness - he barely ever plays for Spurs!
- 14' I spoke too soon! Zhirkov cut inside in the area but shot too close to Handanovic and the keeper saved with his legs. Best chance of the game so far.
- 12' Russia, by contrast, have yet to threaten in the box...
- 10' What a chance for Slovenia! Novakovic breaks free down the left and finds Birsa but the striker's shot goes wide via a deflection...
- 9' Birsa with the delivery but Suler fires wide...
- 8' Slovenia are acquitting themselves well...Novakovic wins a corner for the visitors...
- 5' Zhirkov tries to get free down the left but Slovenia's defence shepherd the ball out for a goal kick.
- 4' Dedic almost latches on to a long ball over the top but Akinfeev, who impressed many with his performance for CSKA Moscow against Manchester United recently, is out quickly to gather.
- 3' The home side are on top in the early stages in Moscow. Arshavin, as you would expect, is pulling the strings.
- 1' Russia get the game underway. The home side are bedecked in a rather interesting maroon number. The visitors are in a slightly more conventional all white.
- - Slovenia are grouped in a huddle pre-match...
- - We're fast approaching kick-off at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow...
- - SLOVENIA TEAM LINE-UP: Samir HANDANOVIC, Miso BRECKO, Marko SULER, Bostjan CESAR, Robert KOREN, Valter BIRSA, Milivoje NOVAKOVIC, Bojan JOKIC, Zlatko DEDIC, Andraz KIRM, Aleksander RADOSAVLJEVIC
- - In all our build-up, what with the Guus Hiddink related trivia, you could be forgiven for thinking that Russia are a shoo-in to progress but they must first overcome a Slovenia side who are aiming to qualify for only their second ever finals. 2002 is their one and only participation to date.
- - RUSSIA TEAM LINE-UP: Igor AKINFEEV, Aleksandr ANYUKOV, Sergei IGNASHEVICH, Vasili BEREZUTSKY, Dinyar BILYALETDINOV, Igor DENISOV, Roman PAVLYUCHENKO, Andrei ARSHAVIN, Sergei SEMAK, Konstantin ZYRIANOV, Yury ZHIRKOV.
- - So, the obvious question to ask you the public, bearing in mind that we all like a little bit of trivia, is who were the other three? Answers on a postcard please...
- - A more interesting fact concerns the Russians' manager Guus Hiddink. Should the former Chelsea boss mastermind his team's passage, he will be leading a fourth different nation at a World Cup finals next summer...
- - Team news will follow shortly as Russia aim to take a big step to qualifying for their sixth World Cup out of the last eight...
- - Hello and welcome to live commentary of the 2010 World Cup qualification play-off first leg between Russia and Slovenia.
Summary
- 90' Great save from Akinfeev denies Suler an equaliser. Incredible finish!
- 88' GOAL FOR SLOVENIA! Pecnik heads home from inside the six-yard box. A lifeline for the visitors!
- 86' Bilyaletdinov almost has a hat-trick but the Russian's header goes narrowly over the bar.
- 69' Another attempt from Pavlyuchenko, this time a diving header, is straight at the keeper.
- 65' Pavlyuchenko fires a shot straight at Handanovic. The ball bounces off the keeper but no-one is available to capitalise for Russia.
- 51' 2-0 RUSSIA! Bilyaletdinov is on target again! The Everton man squeezed his shot in at the near post.
- 50' What a hit from Ignashevich! The defender clubbed a free-kick at goal and it took an excellent save from Handanovic to deny Russia a second goal.
- 48' Pavlyuchenko's shot from close range is deflected into the arms of Handanovic. The striker's attempt lacked conviction.
- 41' GOAL FOR RUSSIA! Bilyaletdinov (Billy to his mates) gives Russia the lead with a wonderful turn and finish. Receiving the ball on the edge of the area, the Everton forward turned two men before firing past Handanovic with his right foot. Beautiful!
- 32' Ignashevich's ferocious kick is cleared by Handanovic, at the expense of a corner.
- 26' Dedic is played in but, under pressure from Akinfeev, he passes the ball into the side netting. Slovenia are having joy turning the Russian defence with balls over the top.
- 14' I spoke too soon! Zhirkov cut inside in the area but shot too close to Handanovic and the keeper saved with his legs. Best chance of the game so far.
- 10' What a chance for Slovenia! Novakovic breaks free down the left and finds Birsa but the striker's shot goes wide via a deflection...
- - SLOVENIA TEAM LINE-UP: Samir HANDANOVIC, Miso BRECKO, Marko SULER, Bostjan CESAR, Robert KOREN, Valter BIRSA, Milivoje NOVAKOVIC, Bojan JOKIC, Zlatko DEDIC, Andraz KIRM, Aleksander RADOSAVLJEVIC
- - RUSSIA TEAM LINE-UP: Igor AKINFEEV, Aleksandr ANYUKOV, Sergei IGNASHEVICH, Vasili BEREZUTSKY, Dinyar BILYALETDINOV, Igor DENISOV, Roman PAVLYUCHENKO, Andrei ARSHAVIN, Sergei SEMAK, Konstantin ZYRIANOV, Yury ZHIRKOV.

Team lineup & ratings

Russia
Manager: Guus Hiddink
Slovenia
Manager: Matjaz Kek

Lineup
Live Team Line-Up
- Russia
  Manager: Guus Hiddink
  Starting line-up
  - I. Akinfeev
  - A. Anyukov
  - V. Berezutsky
  - S. Ignashevich
  - Y. Zhirkov
  - I. Denisov
  - K. Zyryanov
  - D. Bilyaletdinov ×2
  - S. Semak
  - R. Pavlyuchenko
  - A. Arshavin
  Subs
  - I. Semshov
  - D. Sychev 80′
  - V. Gabulov
  - A. Kerzhakov
  - D. Kolodin
  - R. Yanbaev
  - V. Bystrov 60′
- Slovenia
  Manager: Matjaz Kek
  Starting line-up
  - S. Handanovic
  - M. Brecko
  - M. Suler
  - B. Cesar
  - B. Jokic
  - A. Radosavljevic
  - R. Koren
  - V. Birsa
  - A. Kirm
  - Z. Dedic
  - M. Novakovic
  Subs
  - B. Ilic
  - D. Stevanovic 77′
  - J. Handanovic
  - N. Pecnik 82′
  - Z. Ljubijankic 67′
  - R. Krhin
  - E. DÅ¾inic

Rate Players

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Player	Y! Users	Expert
Goalkeeper
I. Akinfeev	7.9	5
Defenders
A. Anyukov	6.8	6
V. Berezutsky	6.4	6
S. Ignashevich	6.5	6
Y. Zhirkov	7.1	6
I. Denisov	6.6	6
Midfielders
K. Zyryanov	7	7
D. Bilyaletdinov ×2	8.1	8
S. Semak 60′	5.9	6
Strikers
R. Pavlyuchenko 80′	7.1	7
A. Arshavin	8.1	7
Subs
I. Semshov
D. Sychev 80′	5.9	-
V. Gabulov
A. Kerzhakov
D. Kolodin
R. Yanbaev
V. Bystrov 60′	7.2	-

Player	Y! Users	Expert
Goalkeeper
S. Handanovic	7.4	8
Defenders
M. Brecko	5.1	6
M. Suler	4.9	5
B. Cesar	5.9	5
B. Jokic	5.6	6
Midfielders
A. Radosavljevic	5.1	5
R. Koren	5.6	5
V. Birsa 77′	6	6
A. Kirm 82′	5.4	6
Strikers
Z. Dedic 67′	5.6	6
M. Novakovic	6.9	7
Subs
B. Ilic
D. Stevanovic 77′	5.2	-
J. Handanovic
N. Pecnik 82′	7.7	-
Z. Ljubijankic 67′	6	-
R. Krhin
E. DÅ¾inic

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Good Luck to Big contry like RUSSIA !!!!!!!!!! I never forget the game in Eurocup, RUSSIA vs Holland !!!!! Come on RUSSIA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From Gladiator, on Sun 15 Nov 1:21AM
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Russia the best team today,so nice football !!!!!! Come on Russia you deserve to be in S.Africa !!!!!!! Arshavin and Russian team well done !!!!!!!!
From Gladiator, on Sun 15 Nov 1:11AM
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Who is stronger at the end? Heart or Money? Football at the end is more or less palying for money. But Slovenians are playing much more for country and by heart. At the end Slovenia can win. So I wish pleasant summer holidays to Russians and some Arsenal, Chelsea, etc. fans while watching small Slovenia playing in world cup in South Africa ;-)))
From matejkuh, on Sat 14 Nov 11:27PM
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I hope Russia will make it, though it will be a tough game... Russia played the best-to-watch football at the last EUROs, lovely to watch - I wish them well!
From gordon.merk, on Sat 14 Nov 8:33PM
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"RUSSIA has a lot of good and very good players...and with a couch,also good,they MUST show it,going in the semis with Argentina,Brazil,Spain and England...at least I HOPE..." So there will be 5 teams in the semifinals?
From vd, on Sat 14 Nov 6:11PM
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bravo slovenija
From dragan_9, on Sat 14 Nov 5:58PM
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watch the game LIVE on totalfootballmadness
From MO, on Sat 14 Nov 5:48PM
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RUSSIA has a lot of good and very good players...and with a couch,also good,they MUST show it,going in the semis with Argentina,Brazil,Spain and England...at least I HOPE...
From Acatrinei S, on Sat 14 Nov 5:44PM
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comment #32 john its k u lost the trivia...i know ur just jealous coz the commentator din take ur name but instead took rushad's..theres nothin to be pissed off man!just relax n watch the match!!!but still roflmao at ur behaviour..hahahahhaha
From Beckham_toohot4u, on Sat 14 Nov 5:18PM
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the game is LIVE now
just google totalfootballmadness
From J, on Sat 14 Nov 5:06PM
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woopie i won the trivia .........John ur right im not a native of either one of the 3 countries....Im an Indian and yet i do know my general knowledge well......i bet though u wouldnt know 2 lines about my country.....thanks guys!
From Rushad, on Sat 14 Nov 5:04PM
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Why are you lying in your commentary? Didn't you see how Arshavin deliberately hit the Slovenian player? Are the FIFA rules changed? Can you show only yellow card for this now?
From leo s, on Sat 14 Nov 5:02PM
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russia are the best i think they have a great chance of winning this year
From Christopher, on Sat 14 Nov 4:49PM
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watch the game LIVE on totalfootballmadness
From J, on Sat 14 Nov 4:45PM
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Rushad is a hack I bet $10 he isn't a native of one of the three countries Guus took to the world cup.
From John, on Sat 14 Nov 4:44PM
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Goooooooooooaaaaaaallllll Russsiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
From eurosportcouk, on Sat 14 Nov 4:43PM
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Gudluck Russia,i want 2 see u in S.Africa next yr! i want 2 see more Arsena players in the W.Cup...,
From said, on Sat 14 Nov 4:42PM
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I believe in Guus...He will lead Russia to the world cup just like he did with Netherland, S.Korean and Austrailia
From omnvmh, on Sat 14 Nov 4:33PM
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Game is Live, watch it at totalfootballmadness
From MO, on Sat 14 Nov 4:32PM
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Guus Hiddink trivia......he took Netherlands to the semis in 1998 , South Korea to the semis in 2002, Australia to the last 16 in 2006 and will take Russia to World Cup 2010.
From Rushad, on Sat 14 Nov 4:25PM
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