European qualifying: Finland still hopeful for 2010
Russia keeps pace with Germany by besting Azerbaijan
Last Updated: Saturday, March 28, 2009 |
_CBC Sports_ ()
Finland gave itself a fighting chance of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup
by beating Wales 2-0 on Saturday.
Jonatan Johansson put the Finns ahead in the 42nd minute after Wales failed
to create any opportunities in a first half they dominated. The win was
secured with substitute Shefki Kuqi’s goal in injury time.
The result puts the Finns one point ahead of Wales for third place in Group
4, two points behind the Russians who sit in the wild card spot. Germany leads
the group.
Toronto FC midfielder Carl Robinson saw international action, coming on as
substitute in the 65th minute for Wales.
Armenia 2, Estonia 2
Substitute Artur Yedigaryan scored late to salvage a 2-2 draw at home as
Armenia came back on Estonia in Group 5 action.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan opened the scoring for Armenia in the 31st minute, but
goals by Konstantin Vassiljev had the visitors in the lead into the final
stages.
Yedigaryan, who came in at 84 minutes, headed in a cross four minutes later.
Estonia has two points in Group 5 while Armenia has one.
Russia 2, Azerbaijan 0
Russia’s win over Azerbaijan on Saturday puts that club just one point behind
Group 4 leaders Germany.
Goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko and Konstantin Zyryanov came after a goal-less
opening 30 minutes as a result of fierce Azeri defending.
Pavlyuchenko’s 25-yard free kick at 32 minutes beat goalkeeper Farkhad
Veliyev and Russia went into halftime in the lead.
The Russians dominated from the start of the second half and in the 71st
minute Pavlyuchenko’s cross found Zyryanov who fired it into the net to seal
the win.
Azerbaijan’s Vagif Javadov almost reduced the deficit but his shot hit the
woodwork to deny them a consolation goal.
The result leaves Azerbaijan with just one point in four games and trailing
second from the bottom of Group 4.With files from the Associated Press