Russia And Korea Republic Share Spoils In Group H Clash

Russia and Korea Republic clashed in the second match of Group H today 17/06/14. The Russians had just missed out on place in South Africa four years ago when they lost to Slovenia in a playoff on the away goals rule. The Koreans had done fairly okay by their standards on the African continent by reaching the round of sixteen. The Russians hadn't been too impressive at World Cups since the breakup of the former Soviet Union. They went out at the group stages in their other two post-Soviet era appearances in 1994 and 2002. Still, with the Eastern Europeans carded to host the next tournament in 2018, nothing less than a positive result in this encounter would have satisfied Fabio Capello’s men. It was the Russians who had the first real chance of the match as corner in the 8^th minute was wasted and the Koreans survived. In the 11^th minute though a valiant effort from HM Son was squandered and the Russians breathed a sigh of relief. In the 13^th minute Son was the first player to receive a yellow card in the match for a bad challenge on a Russian player. In the 27^th minute the Russians won a corner but the ensuing effort from Kokorin was wasted. In the 30^th SY Ki became the second player to be booked for a reckless foul on a Russian player.

In the 33^rd minute a positive breakaway from the Russians was wasted as Zhirkov’s effort went wide. A minute later the Koreans won a corner but the scoring chances went a begging. In the 39^th SM Min had a brilliant chance to put his team in front but his effort went too high. The Koreans continued to dominate the possession and forced a corner in the 43^rd minute. The play was eventually broken up by the Russian defense but the Koreans continued to press. The Russians found themselves on the back foot for long spells nearing the end of the first half and at the interval were happy to go in with the score at 0-0. It was the Russians who started the second half more positively as a shot by Fayzutin forced the Korean goalie to make a save. The ensuing corner was wasted however and the Koreans were fortunate to escape. In the 48^th Russia received its first yellow card as Shatov was booked following a poor challenge. In 51^st Akinfeev in the Russian goal survived a scare as a Ki Sungyueng effort from distance dipped just in front of him. He spilled the initial save but claimed it on the second attempt before the Koreans could capitalize. In the 54^th minute Korea made a substitution as Lee Keunho replaced C Y Park. The Russians then follow suit as Dzagoev replaced Shatov in the 59^th. Korea were then awarded a free kick in the 61^st minute as Eshchenko committed a foul. J H Hong couldn’t capitalize though and the score remained goalless.

In the 67^th minute a great Russian ball in the Korean penalty area caused the Korean defense some problems but danger was averted. Then in the 69^th a fortunate strike from K H Lee was muffed by the Russian goalie that should have stopped what looked like a fairly comfortable save. The Koreans now had the all-important lead with roughly 20 minutes to go. Russian coach Capello then made some changes as Kerzhakov replaced Zhirkov in the 71^st and Denisov replaced Glushakov in the 72^nd. In would be Kerzhakov who made the impact as a Russian ball in the Korean box was hardly dealt with and the Korean ‘keeper could only scramble the ball in the path of Kerzhakov who brought his team on level terms. 1-1 was the score. Late in the game the Russians had a few good chances in the Korean half. In injury time they won a free kick but couldn’t capitalize. The Koreans were happy to get the ball away. In injury time Russia mounted one last attack but the Korean defenders managed to bring the ball to safety. Kokorin then sent a threatening cross in the Korean area but no Russian player could connect. At the final whistle though both teams seemed satisfied to secure a point each. Up next for the Russians is a crucial clash with group leaders Belgium on Sunday. On the same day  Korea come up against Algeria.