SOCCER:RUSSIA MIDFIELDER Diniyar Bilyaletdinov has stressed the need for three points at home to Armenia today as Dick Advocaat's side look to strengthen their challenge in Group B.
The Russians are currently in a three-way tie for top spot in the pool, alongside Slovakia and Republic of Ireland.
Only the side which finishes top is guaranteed a place in the finals in Poland and Ukraine and the runners-up having to settle for the play-offs.
A match at home to Armenia, at least on paper, is one a side aspiring to top the group ought to win – an assessment Everton’s Bilyaletdinov agreed with – although he was quick to talk up the visitors’ strengths. He said: “Armenia are a very mobile and well-organised team, they move fast from defence to attack and their counter-attacks are always dangerous. They’re a technically-gifted team and not easy opponents. But we’re playing at home, and we need three points.”
Armenia are fourth, two points behind the leading trio, having won two of their opening five games, and captain Sargis Hovsepyan insisted his side will be going all out to claim a notable scalp in St Petersburg.
“The level of Russian players is probably higher but we will do everything to get a win,” he said.
Slovakia host Andorra in Bratislava later at Štadión Pasienky (7.15 Irish time). Centre-back Erik Cikos receives his first call-up after catching the eye in Wisla Krakow’s Polish league triumph.
“Erik has made a name for himself so I will give him a chance,” said coach Vladimir Weiss, whose side host Andorra.
Slovakia are shorn of Vladimir Weiss Jr and Marek Sapara through injury while Miroslav Stoch and keeper Ján Mucha are suspended.
Meanwhile, Mario Gomez grabbed a last-gasp winner as Germany beat Austria 2-1 to maintain a 100 per cent record in Group A last night. Germany, having won their first five games, took the lead a minute before half-time when Gomez scrambled the ball home from a corner for his first goal of the night.
But Austria, beaten in their last five meetings with their neighbours, levelled five minutes after the break when teenager David Alaba’s cross was turned into his own net by Arne Friedrich.
Austria looked the more likely winners until Gomez got in front of his marker to head in Philippe Lahm’s cross in the last minute.
The win leaves Germany with 18 points from six games and Austria with seven. Also in Group A Turkey came from behind to draw 1-1 with Belgium last night, a result that leaves the visitors best placed to secure second spot behind runaway leaders Germany.
Belgium maintained their one-point cushion over Turkey but wasted a great chance when Axel Witsel missed a penalty with 15 minutes left. Turkey, coached by Chelsea target Guus Hiddink, have a game in hand on the Belgians in the chase for a play-off spot.
Meanwhile, Italy cruised to a 3-0 win over Estonia last night to stay five points clear in Group C as they moved closer to a place at the finals. Italy’s new strike partners Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano hit it off immediately with the strikers taking it in turn to score in the 21st and 39th minutes with copycat angled drives to give Italy a 2-0 cushion at half-time.
Fourth-placed Estonia, who had taken four points off Serbia in their past two games, rarely threatened as an exciting Italy grabbed a well-taken third goal after 68 minutes through substitute Giampaolo Pazzini.
Italy’s fifth win in their six competitive matches under coach Cesare Prandelli put them on 16 points ahead of second-placed Slovenia and eight points clear of Serbia in third with both those teams having played a game more.
