Match №27

The match № 27, semifinal, eighth tournament day

RUSSIA – BELARUS 2:1 (1:0)

January 25th, 2013, Saint-Petersburg, Peterburgsky SCC, 4000 spectators

Referees: Vyacheslav Kharlamov, Yury Grechishkin, Rashid Abusuyev

Russia: Lobancev, Nikitin (c), Semenov, Zuev, Mitrishev (Vasilyev, 67), Bolov, Lambarskiy, Obukhov (Ambartsumyan, 90), Kayumov (Makhmudov, 86), Bocharov (Panyukov, 74), Golubev

Senior coach: Nikolay Pisarev

Belarus: Saroka Ar., Kruk (Sihnevich, 60), Klapotski (c), Sazanovich, Kavaleuski, Lehchylin (Bombel, 31), Pushniakou (Novik, 53), Rajabau, Valadzko (Nikitsin, 63; Rochau, 82), Bykau, Savitski

Head coach: Alexei Vergeenko

Goals: Kayumov (31), Bolov (57), Sazanovich (64)

Yellow cards: Klapotski (69), Savitski (82), Bykau (85), Bolov (90)

Best players: Dmitry Kayumov, Dzianis Kavaleuski

After match comments:

Senior coach of the team Russia Nikolay Pisarev:

– I'm glad that we are in the final now. We played against a good, strong, well-organized team. It was not easy for the guys to play the fifth game within seven days, the players didn't have enough motivation but the opponent helped them to get into the game. All in all, I'm satisfied with the result; however I understand that we should have scored the 3rd goal earlier to escape the nervous atmosphere in the end of the match. But while doing free-kicks we couldn't realize high passes. So I had to ask for giving short passes. And my advice has worked: we managed to score a goal almost at once.

Head coach of the team Belarus Alexei Vergeenko:

– And I'm disappointed with our not getting into the final, although I completely agree with my colleague that playing five matches within a week is very hard. The guys get tired and lack freshness even after some rotation. It would have been interesting to play with such a strong team as team Russia at earlier stages, when the players still have enough energy. However, we managed to initiate the struggle in the second half. During the break I specially asked to increase fighting. Not everybody has heard me, though; as for me Nikitsin hasn't fit into the game, so I had to substitute him. Also, the goalkeeper made a mistake, but fortunately it ended good. If we had let in then it would have been still harder to play.