Match Review: Russia v. Saudi Arabia
Russia v Saudi Arabia
Score: 5-0
Goals: Gazinsky 12' Cheryshev 43' Dyzuba 71' Cheryshev 90+1' Golovin 90+4
Possession: 39-61
Shots: 14-6
Man of the Match: Aleksandr Golovin (1G,2A)
Russia opened the 2018 World Cup with a stomping over a poor Saudi Arabia side. Russia came out of the gates on the front foot with midfielder Aleksandr Golovin controlling the play. This paved the way for the Russians to take the lead just twelve minutes in. The ball was played to Golovin who swung in a beautiful ball to the far post where defensive mid Yury Gazinsky headed home for his first international goal. It was a dream start for Russia who coming into this match hadn't won in their last 7 international matches. The game continued on at a slow pace with Saudi Arabia having possession but doing nothing with it. The Saudi's kept giving it away in the midfield at will and failed to create anything meaningful up to the second goal for Russia. The second goal came to substitute Denis Cheryshev who came on for Cska attacker Alan Dzagoev. The Russians blitzed forward as the half approached and found Cheryshev on the left side of the box. Cheryshev skinned both helpless defenders and banged it into the roof of the net. This gave Russia a huge advantage going to halftime with the opposing Saudi's posting almost no threat. The second half started very bright for the Saudi's though. They created a game changing chance from a cross to Al Sahlawi but the striker failed to get a touch and the rest of the match passed them by. After the failure of Saudi Arabia to get back into the match Russia capitalized. Russian manager Stanislav Cherchesov made a change and brought in target man Artem Dyzuba. He immediately made an impact as Golovin sent in a beauty of a cross and Dyzuba made no mistake and placed a brilliant header into the bottom corner leaving the keeper no chance. With the match seemingly wrapped up the Russians still continued with waves of attacks. Denis Cheryshev who already had one on the day doubled his tally with an absolute peach of a goal. A beautiful volleyed travela into the top corner left the keeper dumbfounded. The strike by Cheryshev may end up being one of the best of the tournament. Now as if the day couldn't get worse for the Saudi's with essentially the last kick of the match Golovin put in a beautiful free kick from about 20 yards out the was beautifully placed in the side of the net. This capped of an exceptional man of the match day for Golovin who finished the day with two assists and the free kick goal. This puts Russia in a great position to make it out of the group with a win against Egypt or Uruguay taking them through. And for Saudi Arabia hope seems lost and things will only get harder facing the Uruguayans next Wednesday.
Score: 5-0
Goals: Gazinsky 12' Cheryshev 43' Dyzuba 71' Cheryshev 90+1' Golovin 90+4Possession: 39-61
Shots: 14-6
Man of the Match: Aleksandr Golovin (1G,2A)
Russia opened the 2018 World Cup with a stomping over a poor Saudi Arabia side. Russia came out of the gates on the front foot with midfielder Aleksandr Golovin controlling the play. This paved the way for the Russians to take the lead just twelve minutes in. The ball was played to Golovin who swung in a beautiful ball to the far post where defensive mid Yury Gazinsky headed home for his first international goal. It was a dream start for Russia who coming into this match hadn't won in their last 7 international matches. The game continued on at a slow pace with Saudi Arabia having possession but doing nothing with it. The Saudi's kept giving it away in the midfield at will and failed to create anything meaningful up to the second goal for Russia. The second goal came to substitute Denis Cheryshev who came on for Cska attacker Alan Dzagoev. The Russians blitzed forward as the half approached and found Cheryshev on the left side of the box. Cheryshev skinned both helpless defenders and banged it into the roof of the net. This gave Russia a huge advantage going to halftime with the opposing Saudi's posting almost no threat. The second half started very bright for the Saudi's though. They created a game changing chance from a cross to Al Sahlawi but the striker failed to get a touch and the rest of the match passed them by. After the failure of Saudi Arabia to get back into the match Russia capitalized. Russian manager Stanislav Cherchesov made a change and brought in target man Artem Dyzuba. He immediately made an impact as Golovin sent in a beauty of a cross and Dyzuba made no mistake and placed a brilliant header into the bottom corner leaving the keeper no chance. With the match seemingly wrapped up the Russians still continued with waves of attacks. Denis Cheryshev who already had one on the day doubled his tally with an absolute peach of a goal. A beautiful volleyed travela into the top corner left the keeper dumbfounded. The strike by Cheryshev may end up being one of the best of the tournament. Now as if the day couldn't get worse for the Saudi's with essentially the last kick of the match Golovin put in a beautiful free kick from about 20 yards out the was beautifully placed in the side of the net. This capped of an exceptional man of the match day for Golovin who finished the day with two assists and the free kick goal. This puts Russia in a great position to make it out of the group with a win against Egypt or Uruguay taking them through. And for Saudi Arabia hope seems lost and things will only get harder facing the Uruguayans next Wednesday. 
A fantastic piece of writing, it is clear you understand football - CW
ReplyDelete