Bazelyuk’s brace gave the young Russians a perfect opener.
CSKA’s young striker Konstantin Bazelyuk scored twice to cancel out Vuckič’s goal earlier and earned Russia’s U21 team a victory in their second match of the Euro 2015 Qualifying Round. The game was played at Arena Khimki, just north of Moscow, home to league leader CSKA and also Dynamo.
Russia U21 head coach Nikolai Pisarev had opted to start with a lonely Bazelyuk up front, with Anzhi’s Solomatin, Zenit’s Mogilevets, and Spartak’s Kozlov giving him support from the midfield. Baburin took over the job behind the post, and Pisarev left Dinamo’s Panyukov and Zenit’s Solovyev on the bench. No room for Anzhi’s striker Serder Serderov in the line up nor the bench.
The rain, which continued to pour down on the capital all week heavily influenced the match since the start. Awkward twists and slips were seen all over the field, and both sides continued to struggle with possession and passing, especially with the long balls.
The first half was dull without a goal. Both team struggled to hold the ball and create any clear chances before the break.
Pisarev sent Panyukov in to replace an ineffective Solomatin at the break ,spicing up the host’s attack. It was Slovenia, however, who took the lead first after the match resumed. Pujčko lost his marker on the right flank, bursting forward before squaring the ball to Vučkič. The ex-Newcastle forward blasted the ball into the roof of the goal, with Baburin already out of his net.
After Vučkič’s goal, the host piled up the pressure to find the equalizer. They did not have to wait long, as Kozlov, after some fine work near the corner flag, sent a low cross into the middle. The cross found Bazelyuk, who beat the Slovenians’ defender and headed the ball into the near post. The goal gave the Russians confidence, and they started to take control of the game.
Pisarev sent Miranchuk and Solovyev later in the game, in order to refresh things up front and find the precious winning goal. The game turned to be one-sided, with the quartet of Panyukov, Miranchuk, Solovyev and Mogilevets combining to make some serious attacking moves as the game progressed to the deeper part of the second half. They almost went up front when Panyukov played a great one two with Bazelyuk, before releasing a weak shot straight into the hands of Slovenian keeper. Bazelyuk’s shot a couple of minute later was also saved by Jug.
The moment finally came four minutes before the final whistle.
It was Bazelyuk who again managed to steal the show on the 86th minute. A hanging cross from midfielder Obukhov somehow reached the young striker in the crowded penalty box, who chested it down and coolly slotted in the winning goal for the home side.
Pisarev explained that the condition of the field played a big factor in the game, “Weather conditions did not allow us to play creative football. Our opponent tried to do this with more defensive football, and it was easier for us.” He continued, “It was good to quickly equalize, my players have shown good character and played as a team.”
The win gave Russia three precious points. They will face Bulgaria next, at the same venue on Tuesday. Pisarev will hope his side can maintain the spirited performance they have shown today, and the country will definitely keep an eye on this promising bunch of football youngsters.
RUSSIA U21 FIRST XI - Baburin, Ten, Zuev, Nikitin, Golubev, Obukhov (Miranchuk A. 73′), Solomatin (Panyukov 45′), Emelyanov, Kozlov (Solovyev 79′), Mogilevets, Bazelyuk.
SLOVENIA U21 FIRST XI - Jug, Kous, Blažič, Krajnc, Šporar (Zaič 71′), Vučkič (Dervisevič 87′), Jelenič, Pučko, Trajkovski, Vrhovec, Žibert ( Benedičič 61′).
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