2017 FIFA Confederations Cup: Hosts Russia Sign In With A Comfortable 2-0 Victory Over New Zealand 1

Hosts Russia clinched a 2-0 victory against New Zealand in the opening game of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

The opening goal of the tournament came from New Zealand defender Michael Boxall’s own goal in the 31st minute. Fedor Smolov extended the lead for the host side on the 69 minutes.

The match began after a glorious opening ceremony on the field. Both the teams began the match with the 5-3-2 formation.

Russia totally dominated in this match from the very beginning while New Zealand found very hard to create their chances.

The backline of 2016 OFC Nations Cup champions’ were looking very weak as Russia continuously creating pressures on the opposition defence. Both the goals resulted from the poor defensive efforts.

The opening goal of the tournament was scored just after the half an hour mark. After a defensive error from the New Zealand side, Denis Glushakov got the opportunity to score the goal but ultimately it was an own goal as Michael Boxall made the last touch before the ball crossed the goal-line.

 

After that goal, Russia tried very much to extend their lead but they were unable on that before the 69th minute. Fedor Smolov scored the second goal for Russia after Boxall failed to clear the ball.

New Zealand had the only positive chance on 78 minutes when their two back-to-back opportunities were saved by the hosts’ goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev and defender Yuri Zhirkov respectively.

Key Moments of the match

7 min. – Vasin hit the post: Viktor Vasin succeeded to produce a header from the following corner, which unluckily hit the post and then rolled across the line before Deklan Wynne cleared the danger.

 

9 min. – Smith Clearance: Aleksandr Samedov produced a great cross for Dmitriy Poloz, whose shot was able to beat the New Zealand’s goalie (Stefan Marinovic) but Tommy Smith timely cleared the ball to deny the danger.

 

31 min. – GOAL! (Michael Boxall own goal) Russia 1-0 New Zealand: After a weak defensive show from New Zealand backline, Erokhin released a ball for Poloz who raised a through ball for Glushakov to break the deadlock. The ‘All Whites’ defender Michael Boxall failed to clear Glushakov’s effort as the ball crossed the goal-line after his touch.

 

48 min. – Marinovic double saves: Two back-to-back great saves were made by the New Zealand goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic. At first, Poloz header was saved by Marinovic through a diving effort to his top right corner.

In the return ball, Erokhin took the chance with a good close-range shot but once again Marinovic put a superb effort as he cleared the ball this time.

 

69 min. – GOAL! (Fedor Smolov) Russia 2-0 New Zealand: Another poor show in New Zealand defence. Samedov put a grounded cross which Boxall failed to clear and then Smolov successfully hit on the net.

 

78 min. – Two chances for New Zealand: After a long period, New Zealand finally found their chances but failed to count those back-to-back chances. At first, Ryan Thomas’ powerful outside the box shot was saved by the hosts’ goalie Igor Akinfeev with a tremendous diving effort.

At next, Tommy Smith produced a header from the following corner kick which was blocked by Yuri Zhirkov on the line.

  

Squads

Russia (Starting formation 5-3-2): Igor Akinfeev – Viktor Vasin, Fyodor Kudryashov, Georgi Dzhikiya, Yuri Zhirkov, Aleksandr Samedov – Denis Glushakov, Aleksandr Golovin, Alexandr Erokhin (Dmitriy Tarasov; 77 min.) – Dmitriy Poloz (Aleksandr Bukharov; 64 min.), Fedor Smolov (Aleksey Miranchuk; 90 min.)

 

New Zealand (Starting formation 5-3-2): Stefan Marinovic – Andrew Durante, Michael Boxall, Tommy Smith, Deklan Wynne, Kip Colvey (Monty Patterson; 83 min.) – Michael McGlinchey, Marcos Rojas (Shane Smeltz; 71 min.), Ryan Thomas – Chris Wood, Kosta Barbarouses (Bill Tuiloma; 61 min.)