Alexander Kerzhakov rescued Russia in their first World Cup finals match since 2002, scoring three minutes after coming on as substitute to salvage a 1-1 draw against South Korea on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old Zenit St Petersburg striker — who is the sole survivor from the squad that appeared at the 2002 World Cup finals — was brought on after rival substitute Lee Keun-ho put South Korea ahead with a long-range shot that Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev disastrously parried over his head into the net.
The result left both countries trailing Belgium, who head the Group H table after beating Algeria 2-1 earlier.
Photo: Reuters
Russia, who host the 2018 finals, were looking to make an impact in their landmark return. They owed their saved honor to Kerzhakov, who scored his 26th international goal.
On Akinfeev’s error Russia coach Fabio Capello said: “Just like some players can miss penalties, it can happen that a ’keeper makes a mistake as well.”
“You can accept a mistake from a great ’keeper like Akinfeev. Today it turned out fine,” he said.
Photo: Reuters
“The reaction of the players was really good,” the Italian added when asked about the South Korea goal. “That was important to me.”
“It’s the first match and I’m satisfied,” South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo said.
The last two countries to make their appearance in Brazil slowly cranked up the tempo in 77 percent humidity under the Arena Pantanal’s floodlights.
Photo: AFP
South Korea began brightly enough, with Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s Son Heung-min testing Akinfeev early, his right-footed shot going high.
Seconds later the midfielder was booked unfairly by Argentine referee Nestor Pitana.
Playing all in white to Russia’s maroon and watched by a near-full stadium where the prominent color was Brazilian yellow, the Taeguk Warriors showed technical ability without ever threatening to score.
The largely local crowd began to vent their frustration at what they perceived to be the lack of spectacle served up for their evening entertainment.
A half-hearted Mexican wave — never a good sign especially in the first half hour of a match — crept its way round the stands, as Sergei Ignashevich struck a long-range free-kick straight into South Korea goalkeeper Jung Sung-yong’s hands.
South Korea captain Koo Ja-cheol livened things up with a low left-footed effort, then Son, who found the net 11 times for Leverkusen last season, had a real chance in front of goal, but his shot sailed exuberantly over Akinfeev’s crossbar.
South Korea had the upper hand as the tepid first half drew to a close, their midfield putting together some neat moves, with Han Kook-young and Sunderland’s Ki Sung-yeung proving a handful.
The teams emerged for the second period with the World Cup’s third goalless draw within 24 hours only 45 minutes away. If Russia were to give coach Capello something to celebrate on his 68th birthday at midnight, they wouldd have to up their game, and they came out fighting with two quick chances from Victor Fayzulin and skipper Vasily Berezutski.
Down at the other end, Akinfeev did well to deny Koo’s potent drive.
In a bid to shake things up, South Korea coach Hong, the captain of the side that finished fourth at the 2002 World Cup, introduced prolific striker Lee for Park, and it proved a useful switch.
On 68 minutes, Lee broke the deadlock in style, charging toward the Russian penalty area, rounding a defender to shoot right-footed. Akinfeev looked devastated after at first seeming to halt the ball, but then watching in horror as it went over his head.
Russia pulled back level when Kerzhakov, after coming on for Yury Zhirkov, pounced on the ball after a goalmouth scramble to shoot home from close range.
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