Sychev hat-trick revives Russia
Saturday, 9 October 2004
By Eduard Nisenboim
[1] Having taken 56 minutes to open the scoring in Luxembourg, a Dmitri Sychev hat-trick and Andrei Arshavin goal gave Russia their first FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 3 victory in comfortable fashion.
Kantonistov debut
[2] Held 1-1 at home by Slovakia last month, Russia went into today's game with eight players sidelined by injury - Sergei Ovchinnikov, Aleksander Kerzhakov, Denis Kolodin, Marat Izmailov, Dmitri Khokhlov, Andrei Kariaka, Vladislav Radimov and Vladimir Bystrov. FC Kuban Krasnodar midfield player Lubomir Kantonistov was called up for his international debut in the unusual role of left wing.
Losing run
[3] Despite the changes, Russia dominated the first half against a side beaten in their first three qualifiers, defeats that had stretched their current run to 37 consecutive competitive losses. However, the home side were defending stoutly in an attempt to avoid increasing that number to 38, and their goal did not come under threat until the 33rd minute when Vadim Evseev shot low and just wide of the post from a free-kick.
Russia ahead
[4] After the break Georgi Yartsev's side looked a more settled outfit and made the most of their four clear-cut opportunities. Sychev broke the deadlock eleven minutes into the half when he received Dmitri Bulykin's ball, rounded defender Ben Federspiel and shot in from seven metres out.
Lead increases
[5] Six minutes later Evseev and Denis Boyarintsev combined to set up Arshavin, to double the lead and effectively end Luxembourg's hopes of a point. Sychev then added another goal after a one-two with Rolan Gusev.
Luxembourg efforts
[6] The hosts created their only two chances just after the goal. First, Manuel Cardoni tried his luck with a long-range shot that deflected off Smertin and was parried wide by the Viascheslav Malafeev. The goalkeeper then misjudged the resulting corner and Greg Molitor found himself in front of an empty net only for Aleksandr Anyukov to clear his shot off the line.
Victory sealed
[7] Sychev then had the last word four minutes from time after being set up by Evgeni Aldonin to boost his side's confidence further ahead of the crucial trip to Portugal on Wednesday. Luxembourg will hope to get off the mark that night when they welcome Liechtenstein.