Showing posts with label Alan Dzagoev. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alan Dzagoev. Show all posts

Man Utd 3-3 CSKA Moskva


Manchester United staged a stirring late rally at Old Trafford to claim a place in the last 16 of the Champions League after CSKA Moscow looked poised to end their 22-game unbeaten home record in the competition.
Sir Alex Ferguson's revamped United looked like they would have to wait to seal their place in the knockout phase when they trailed 3-1 with only six minutes remaining. 
But with a grandstand finish that has become their trademark, Paul Scholes headed home six minutes from time and Antonio Valencia's deflected shot in injury time rescued the vital point. 
CSKA looked well on course to inflict United's first Champions League defeat at Old Trafford since AC Milan won in February 2005 - but they reckoned without the powers of recovery and refusal to accept defeat buried deep within Ferguson's side. 
The Russians took the lead after 25 minutes when Alan Dzagoev beat a static Edwin van der Sar from an angle, but Michael Owen pounced in the area to restore equality four minutes later.
CSKA were quickly back in front when Milos Krasic rounded Van der Sar to score, and when Vasili Berezutski headed home Dzagoev's free-kick two minutes after half-time, United looked likely to sample the rare taste of defeat on home territory. 
But the introduction of Wayne Rooney, the day after the birth of his son Kai, lifted the mood inside Old Trafford and set the scene for United's late charge. 
United boss Ferguson made public his admiration for Igor Akinfeev in his programme notes, and the CSKA keeper will have further impressed the Old Trafford hierarchy with a magnificent display that kept the Premier League champions at bay until the late double salvo from Scholes and Valencia broke their resistance. 
To complete a miserable conclusion for CSKA, they had defender Deividas Semberas sent off after receiving a second yellow card. 
United fielded a much-changed side, but Rooney was a surprise inclusion on the bench the day after the birth of his son. 
Injury to Dimitar Berbatov gave Owen a chance to impress, and he was heavily involved in a first half that provided mixed fare for a subdued Old Trafford gallery.

Finland - Russia



Sounds shocking, but Finland has never qualified for European, or World Championship. In some previous campaigns, they were putting a solid displays, but always needed a point, or two. On the road to South Africa, they hold a third place in group 4, with two points less than the next opponent – Russia and six less from the leaders – Germany. They’re undefeated at home, two wins (Azerbaijan 1-0 and Liechtenstein 2-1) and a draw (Germany 3-3). Saturday’s game against Lilliputian showed their weaknesses. Finland hardly won, scored twice and turned the result. They look like out of shape. Play is without any idea and win came as result of pure experience. Also, some very important players, Petri Pasanen, Teemu Tainio and Shefki Kuqi, got injuries. National coach Stuart Baxter hides the cards, but it is expected Kuqi won’t play. It means Mikael Forssell and veteran Jari Litmanen will make the attack duo. With three points, Finland would skip Russia on the table.

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After he finished with a style his mission in Chelsea, Hiddink is back to Russia. They’re at second place with four points less (and a game less) than Germany. After 1-2 defeat in Germany, Russia made three consecutive wins, without a conceded goal (Finland 3-0, Azerbaijan 2-0, Liechtenstein 1-0). Young play-maker Alan Dzagoev won’t play, Pavel Pogrebnyak is in doubt, while Aldonin, Kerzhakov and Bystrov are returning after one game break. Guus Hiddink made some comments to Finnish media, pointing to the fact that Russia might settle for a draw. In that case will be at three points distance from Germany and will face them in Moscow. I think he was more polite and tactical, then serious. Holding a draw in Helsinki, when home side has Forssell (excellent head play) and Litmanen (maybe old, but still free-kick specialist) can turn the game into nightmare and dropping on third place. I can’t imagine Russia to loose here and can’t imagine they won’t qualify for WC. Expect from them to secure the goal first and in the second half to go for victory.

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The bookmakers offer low 1.80 for an away win, pointing Finland’s game vs Liechtenstein, but forgetting, at the same time, the game against Germany who avoided the defeat just thankfully to Klose. However, I think Russia simply has much more quality and Baxter can’t surprise Hiddink. Despite the lower odds (1.80 at Expekt) I go on away win. And a gamble x-2, ht/ft.

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My second bet will be Netherlands-Norway, over. And still think about Ecuador against Argentina. Maybe one more analyze, later.

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