Pavlychenko gave the Russians a precious win last night at the Petrovskiy stadium, scoring a hat-trick against Armenia which has propelled Dick Advocaat’s side first in the group B. Russia beat Armenians and remain top with the same number of points as Slovakia and Republic of Ireland. It was a both electrifying and tough match at the Petrovskiy where the two sides conceded eight yellow cards, six of which sown to the visitors. Tottenham Hotspur star Pavlyuchenko scored his first goal in the first half but he would complete a double early in the second part and even the hat-trick with minutes left. On the other side, Pizzelli opened the score after 25 minutes, but Armenians’ joy wouldn’t last but one minute.
Foto Source: ligafutbol.net
Pavlyuchenko was in great shape, creating his first big chance early in the fifth minute. The striker was picked inside the box, but his finish was denied by a vigilant Berezovski. Armenia broke back in the 11th minute through Movsisyan who escaped his mark to strike it wide to the dismay of Vardan Minasyan. Russia got another golden opportunity in the 15th minute, but Aniukov’s cross couldn’t be connected by the same Pavlyuchenko. Armenia picked the firs yellow through Movsisyan in the 20th minute for a foul on Igor Semshov. The away side then opened the score thanks to a lovely attack play developed by the same Movsisyan who fed Pizzelli inside the box to beat keeper Akinfeev and bring an unforeseeable lead for Minasyan’s squad.
Palvyuchenko broke back immediately with an astonishing volley as Russia started to look much better. The 36th minute found Ignashevich picking a yellow card for a poor tackle. Pavlyuchenko then got his third big chance, but his finish was denied by Mkoyan. The half time went 1-1, but Russian were still improving. So, 15 minutes into the next part Pavlyuchenko converted his fourth chance with a superb volley, bringing thus the first lead for the Russians. Pizzelli was very close to leveling back, but the striker failed to pull the trigger, being blocked immediately. Minasyan then introduced Artur Edigaryan and Edgar Manuchryan with Pizzelli and Levon Pachjyan respectively. Even so, the visitors wouldn’t play any better.
But on the contrary, Armenia conceded even a third from Pavlyuchenko who made it 3-1 in the 74th minute following a clear penalty. Hovsepyan took down Chelsea midfielder Zhirkov inside the box to gift the hosts the white spot kick. The scoreboard remained unchanged until the final whistle as Russia remain a main favorite for the leading position. They have gone second with 13 points, the same as third Ireland and first Slovakia, while Armenia fell fourth with eight points. Finally, Macedonia and Andorra are bottom with four and zero points respectively.
Russia – I. Akinfeev; A. Anyukov, V. Berezutsky, S. Ignashevich, Y. Zhirkov, Semshov, K. Zyryanov, D. Torbinskiy, A. Arshavin, I. Denisov, R. Pavlyuchenko. Reserves: A. Dzagoev, V. Malafeev, A. Berezutsky, P. Pogrebnyak, D. Bilyaletdinov, D. Glushakov.
Armenia – R. Berezovski; R. Arzumanyan, S. Ovsepyan, L. Hayrapetyan, H. Mkoyan, P. Pachajyan, K. Mkrthitaryan, Y. Movsisyan, M. Pizzelli, G. Ghazaryan. Reserves: A. Mkrtchyan, E. Manucharyan, V. Aleksananyan, A. Edigaryan, A. Yuspashyan, S. Ghazaryan, A. Edigaryan.
