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Tuesday 6 September – European Championship Qualifying Group B

The Republic of Ireland somehow hung on to a 0-0 draw with Russia despite being under vast pressure for the majority of the match.

Russia: Malafeev, Anyukov, Berezutski, Ignashevich, Berezutski, Zhirkov (Bilyaletdinov 76 min), Semshov, Shirokov, Zyryanov, Kerzhakov (Pavlyuchenko 54 min), Arshavin.
Substitutes: Shunin, Pogrebnyak, Torbinskiy, Pavlyuckenko, Bilyaletdinov, Glushakov, Shishkin.

Republic of Ireland: Given, Kelly, Dunne, O’Dea, Ward, McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Duff (Hunt 67 min), Doyle (Cox 59 min), Keane.
Substitutes: Westwood, Foley, Delaney, Lawrence, Hunt, McCarthy, Cox.

The crucial Group B qualifier began in a cagey manner with both sides looking to gain early possession of the ball. Russia had a fine early chance after 8 minutes however when Arshavin fired onwards the bottom corner but Given pushed the ball to safety. Semshov whipped in a fine cross after 14 minutes for the hosts but no-one was on hand with the finish as Russia began to dominate proceedings. Semshov again brought a fine save from Given after 22 minutes as the Russians continued to press.

Richard Dunne stopped a certain goal for Russia after 32 minutes when somehow he cleared the ball off the line when Kerzhakov seemed to have found the bottom corner. The Republic grew into the latter stages of the half however and the half-time whistle blew with the score level at 0-0.

Russia began the second-half in good form but Ireland continued to resist their pressure. Arshavin fired wide after 53 minutes before Semshov passed up a golden opportunity to find the bottom corner moments later by attempting a pass across the box. Russia continued to dominate as the second half progressed with Ireland offering no attacking threat whatsoever.

The hosts continued to probe as the final 15 minutes approached but Dunne – who suffered a sickening clash with the concrete at the side of the pitch – defended heroically. Substitute Bilyaletdinov fired over from close range after 83 minutes as Russia passed up yet another opportunity. Ireland keeper Given produced a magnificent save after 88 minutes when Zyryanov crept in at the back post but his header from 5 yards was beaten away. Ireland somehow hung on in the latter stages to record an extremely impressive away point.

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