itsbeautifuloutside

Russia v South Korea

Cuiaba, 17th June 2014

Match Report

I saw someone whose opinion I normally respect, describe this game as 'another decent game'. I am sorry to disagree, but until the 68th minute, when the Russian goalkeeper, Akinfeev managed to palm a tame shot from Lee Keun-ho into the roof of his own net, the game had been a tale of the incompetent versus the incapable. Utterly hopeless.

Neither of these sides deserve to go any further in the competition. I suppose you cannot expect any more of a Russian side, managed by Fabio Capello. He clearly has not learned much since managing England. I am well aware that his stats are possibly the best of all England managers, but that just illustrates to me the danger of statistics. What is the saying? There are lies, damn lies and then there are statistics.

Having roundly damned both sides, I was slightly encouraged to see the game pick up after what must qualify as the comedy goal of the season and the Russians were forced to be positive and look for an equaliser.

That duly came in the 74th minute from Kerzhakov, the 31-year-old Zenit St Petersburg forward and record goalscorer in Russia, who had only been on the field for about three minutes. South Korea were unable to clear their lines following a shot from Dzagoev and when the ball hit Kerzhakov in the penalty area, he calmly turned and slammed the ball in from no more than six yards out.

The Russians did press, looking for a winner, but they lacked the quality up front.

Overall, a draw was a fair result, but I am not looking forward to watching either side again. Perhaps they may improve, now that they have got the first game out of the way. I certainly hope so.

channonite