Russia claimed the Deaflympics women’s soccer bronze medals yesterday morning at a wind-swept and rainy Yingfeng Sports Park in Taipei.
Russia surprised many when they lost to Germany in a tight semi-final on Friday and were favorites for the 3rd/4th-place playoff match having already beaten opponents Great Britain 6-2 in their group match last week.
Britain, however, had run the US close in their semi-final on Friday, losing out 2-1, and the Russians knew they wouldn’t be able to take the British lightly.
PHOTO: LIN CHENG-KUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
As expected, it was Russia who were on top early in the match, captain Svetlana Gagarina testing Britain keeper Carly Waters in the 14th minute from the right edge of the penalty area.
Nine minutes later the pressure told when Irina Degtyareva latched onto a cross from the right and hit a fierce shot that Waters did well to save, but the rebound fell kindly for Degtyareva and she made no mistake the second time around.
A mistake in the Britain defense in the 34th minute almost handed Russia another and it took a good saving tackle to clear the danger. A minute before halftime, Waters pulled off another fine save after Maria Sayko hit a 25m effort from the left of the area.
Britain started the second half at a much faster pace and there was a suspicion of handball when Danielle Evans’ shot was blocked in the area, the ball deflecting wide for a corner.
Britain were pushing forward looking for an equalizer and almost got caught on the break in the 63rd minute, but Degtyareva shot wide.
The match was now all about Britain pushing forward and Russia looking to hang on to their lead, and Britain’s forward duo of Evans and Camilla Willis almost broke the deadlock in the 78th minute, when a one-two opened up the Russia defense and Evans shot just wide.
Two minutes later, Lydia Docker met a British corner, but her header flew wide and from the resulting goal-kick Russia almost wrapped it up, Gagarina’s effort blocked by the legs of Waters.
Russia were holding on and in injury-time Willis tried to get to a cross in front of Russia keeper Natalia Mikhailova, but the Russian won the race and her team held on to scoop the bronze.
In yesterday’s 5th/6th-place playoff match, Denmark edged Japan 2-1, with a brace from captain Charlotte Brondum. Japan captain Nami Terai got her side’s consolation.
The final between the US and Germany will be staged at the Taipei Municipal Stadium this evening at 7pm.
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