Tweet
Irish Times, Ireland
June 4 2011
Russia look for points at home to Armenia
SOCCER: RUSSIA MIDFIELDER Diniyar Bilyaletdinov has stressed the need
for three points at home to Armenia today as Dick Advocaat's side look
to strengthen their challenge in Group B.
The Russians are currently in a three-way tie for top spot in the
pool, alongside Slovakia and Republic of Ireland.
Only the side which finishes top is guaranteed a place in the finals
in Poland and Ukraine and the runners-up having to settle for the
play-offs.
A match at home to Armenia, at least on paper, is one a side aspiring
to top the group ought to win ` an assessment Everton's Bilyaletdinov
agreed with ` although he was quick to talk up the visitors'
strengths. He said: `Armenia are a very mobile and well-organised
team, they move fast from defence to attack and their counter-attacks
are always dangerous. They're a technically-gifted team and not easy
opponents. But we're playing at home, and we need three points.'
Armenia are fourth, two points behind the leading trio, having won two
of their opening five games, and captain Sargis Hovsepyan insisted his
side will be going all out to claim a notable scalp in St Petersburg.
`The level of Russian players is probably higher but we will do
everything to get a win,' he said.
Slovakia host Andorra in Bratislava later at Åtadión Pasienky (7.15
Irish time). Centre-back Erik Cikos receives his first call-up after
catching the eye in Wisla Krakow's Polish league triumph.
`Erik has made a name for himself so I will give him a chance,' said
coach Vladimir Weiss, whose side host Andorra.
Slovakia are shorn of Vladimir Weiss Jr and Marek Sapara through
injury while Miroslav Stoch and keeper Ján Mucha are suspended.
Meanwhile, Mario Gomez grabbed a last-gasp winner as Germany beat
Austria 2-1 to maintain a 100 per cent record in Group A last night.
Germany, having won their first five games, took the lead a minute
before half-time when Gomez scrambled the ball home from a corner for
his first goal of the night.
But Austria, beaten in their last five meetings with their neighbours,
levelled five minutes after the break when teenager David Alaba's
cross was turned into his own net by Arne Friedrich.
Austria looked the more likely winners until Gomez got in front of his
marker to head in Philippe Lahm's cross in the last minute.
The win leaves Germany with 18 points from six games and Austria with
seven. Also in Group A Turkey came from behind to draw 1-1 with
Belgium last night, a result that leaves the visitors best placed to
secure second spot behind runaway leaders Germany.
Belgium maintained their one-point cushion over Turkey but wasted a
great chance when Axel Witsel missed a penalty with 15 minutes left.
Turkey, coached by Chelsea target Guus Hiddink, have a game in hand on
the Belgians in the chase for a play-off spot.
Meanwhile, Italy cruised to a 3-0 win over Estonia last night to stay
five points clear in Group C as they moved closer to a place at the
finals. Italy's new strike partners Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano
hit it off immediately with the strikers taking it in turn to score in
the 21st and 39th minutes with copycat angled drives to give Italy a
2-0 cushion at half-time.
Fourth-placed Estonia, who had taken four points off Serbia in their
past two games, rarely threatened as an exciting Italy grabbed a
well-taken third goal after 68 minutes through substitute Giampaolo
Pazzini.
Italy's fifth win in their six competitive matches under coach Cesare
Prandelli put them on 16 points ahead of second-placed Slovenia and
eight points clear of Serbia in third with both those teams having
played a game more.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0604/1224298388903.html
From: Baghdasarian
June 4 2011
Russia look for points at home to Armenia
SOCCER: RUSSIA MIDFIELDER Diniyar Bilyaletdinov has stressed the need
for three points at home to Armenia today as Dick Advocaat's side look
to strengthen their challenge in Group B.
The Russians are currently in a three-way tie for top spot in the
pool, alongside Slovakia and Republic of Ireland.
Only the side which finishes top is guaranteed a place in the finals
in Poland and Ukraine and the runners-up having to settle for the
play-offs.
A match at home to Armenia, at least on paper, is one a side aspiring
to top the group ought to win ` an assessment Everton's Bilyaletdinov
agreed with ` although he was quick to talk up the visitors'
strengths. He said: `Armenia are a very mobile and well-organised
team, they move fast from defence to attack and their counter-attacks
are always dangerous. They're a technically-gifted team and not easy
opponents. But we're playing at home, and we need three points.'
Armenia are fourth, two points behind the leading trio, having won two
of their opening five games, and captain Sargis Hovsepyan insisted his
side will be going all out to claim a notable scalp in St Petersburg.
`The level of Russian players is probably higher but we will do
everything to get a win,' he said.
Slovakia host Andorra in Bratislava later at Åtadión Pasienky (7.15
Irish time). Centre-back Erik Cikos receives his first call-up after
catching the eye in Wisla Krakow's Polish league triumph.
`Erik has made a name for himself so I will give him a chance,' said
coach Vladimir Weiss, whose side host Andorra.
Slovakia are shorn of Vladimir Weiss Jr and Marek Sapara through
injury while Miroslav Stoch and keeper Ján Mucha are suspended.
Meanwhile, Mario Gomez grabbed a last-gasp winner as Germany beat
Austria 2-1 to maintain a 100 per cent record in Group A last night.
Germany, having won their first five games, took the lead a minute
before half-time when Gomez scrambled the ball home from a corner for
his first goal of the night.
But Austria, beaten in their last five meetings with their neighbours,
levelled five minutes after the break when teenager David Alaba's
cross was turned into his own net by Arne Friedrich.
Austria looked the more likely winners until Gomez got in front of his
marker to head in Philippe Lahm's cross in the last minute.
The win leaves Germany with 18 points from six games and Austria with
seven. Also in Group A Turkey came from behind to draw 1-1 with
Belgium last night, a result that leaves the visitors best placed to
secure second spot behind runaway leaders Germany.
Belgium maintained their one-point cushion over Turkey but wasted a
great chance when Axel Witsel missed a penalty with 15 minutes left.
Turkey, coached by Chelsea target Guus Hiddink, have a game in hand on
the Belgians in the chase for a play-off spot.
Meanwhile, Italy cruised to a 3-0 win over Estonia last night to stay
five points clear in Group C as they moved closer to a place at the
finals. Italy's new strike partners Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano
hit it off immediately with the strikers taking it in turn to score in
the 21st and 39th minutes with copycat angled drives to give Italy a
2-0 cushion at half-time.
Fourth-placed Estonia, who had taken four points off Serbia in their
past two games, rarely threatened as an exciting Italy grabbed a
well-taken third goal after 68 minutes through substitute Giampaolo
Pazzini.
Italy's fifth win in their six competitive matches under coach Cesare
Prandelli put them on 16 points ahead of second-placed Slovenia and
eight points clear of Serbia in third with both those teams having
played a game more.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0604/1224298388903.html
From: Baghdasarian