Hosts Russia see off New Zealand in Confederations Cup opener
Soccer Football - Russia v New Zealand - FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 - Group A - Saint Petersburg Stadium, St.Petersburg, Russia - June 17, 2017 Russia’s Fedor Smolov celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Hosts Russia eased to a 2-0 win over New Zealand on Saturday in the opening match of the Confederations Cup, a tournament seen as a test for the country before it stages next year's World Cup.
Midfielder Denis Glushakov flicked the ball over goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic in the 31st minute as New Zealand defenders rushed back to try to clear it off the line. New Zealand's Michael Boxall got a touch on the ball and was credited with an own goal.
Scoring chances came early for Russia, playing with confidence and unexpected flair, a powerful header by defender Viktor Vasin bouncing off the inside of the post before being cleared by New Zealand's Michael McGlinchey.
Soccer Football - Russia v New Zealand - FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 - Group A - Saint Petersburg Stadium, St.Petersburg, Russia - June 17, 2017 Russia’s Aleksandr Bukharov in action with New Zealand’s Stefan Marinovic REUTERS/Grigory Dukor
Marinovic kept his team in the match early in the second half with back-to-back saves, diving to punch away a header by Dmitry Poloz before scrambling to his left to smother a rebound attempt by Aleksandr Erokhin.
But weak defending allowed Russia's Fedor Smolov to slip past the New Zealand defence and tap in a low cross by team mate Alexander Samedov in the 69th minute.
World champions Germany and the champions from FIFA's six confederations are competing in the two-week tournament that will allow Russia to test its football infrastructure in four of the 11 cities hosting World Cup matches.
Soccer Football - Russia v New Zealand - FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 - Group A - Saint Petersburg Stadium, St.Petersburg, Russia - June 17, 2017 Russia’s Denis Glushakov in action with New Zealand’s Tommy Smith REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
Russia, a record low 63rd in FIFA's world rankings, face Portugal on Wednesday and New Zealand play Mexico the same day.
Soccer Football - Russia v New Zealand - FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 - Group A - Saint Petersburg Stadium, St.Petersburg, Russia - June 17, 2017 Russia’s Aleksandr Bukharov shoots at goal REUTERS/Grigory Dukor
(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Alexander Winning; Writing by Moscow newsroom, editing by Ed Osmond)
Soccer Football - Russia v New Zealand - FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 - Group A - Saint Petersburg Stadium, St.Petersburg, Russia - June 17, 2017 New Zealand’s Michael Boxall in action with Russia’s Denis Glushakov REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachSoccer Football - Russia v New Zealand - FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 - Group A - Saint Petersburg Stadium, St.Petersburg, Russia - June 17, 2017 Russia’s Viktor Vasin in action REUTERS/Carl RecineSoccer Football - Russia v New Zealand - FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 - Group A - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 17, 2017 Russia’s Fedor Smolov scores their second goal. REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachSoccer Football - Russia v New Zealand - FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 - Group A - Saint Petersburg Stadium, St.Petersburg, Russia - June 17, 2017 Russia’s Fedor Smolov celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachSoccer Football - Russia v New Zealand - FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 - Group A - Saint Petersburg Stadium, St.Petersburg, Russia - June 17, 2017 General view of empty seats during the match REUTERS/Carl Recine
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