play pause open close
 
Played
September 6, 2011 11:00 AM EDT
Olimpiyskiy stadion Luzhniki — Moskva
Referee:‬ F. Brych‎
Attendance:‬ 49515‎
 
Top of the Match
?
To Be Announced Shortly
Richard Dunne
Richard Dunne
Ireland Republic
Flop of the Match
?
To Be Announced Shortly
Glenn Whelan
Glenn Whelan
Ireland Republic

Russia 0-0 Republic of Ireland: Trapattoni's men earn credible draw in Moscow

A combination of poor finishing from Russia and some impressive Irish defensive play saw the Group B sides play out a lacklustre draw in Euro 2012 qualifying

By Luke Matthews

Euro 2012 Group Qualifiers : Liam Lawrence- Yuriy Zhirkov,   Republic Ireland vs  Russia(Getty Images )
The Republic of Ireland had its defense to thank as Giovanni Trapattoni's men frustrated Russia to earn a valuable 0-0 draw in Moscow.

Russia dominated play throughout yet they could not find a way past the Irish with Shay Given and Richard Dunne both putting in impressive performances on the Luzhniki stadium's artificial pitch.

Dick Advocaat's side remain at the top of Group B on 17 points while the Republic of Ireland sit in second, two points behind with qualification drawing to a close next month.

The home side started the brighter of the two nations and only a brilliant save from Shay Given stopped them from taking the lead in the eighth minute. Darren O'Dea's hesitant clearance fell to the feet of Andrey Arshavin who saw his low 20-yard drive turned expertly around the post by the Irish goalkeeper.

The second half continued in similar vein with the home nation in the ascendancy and on 49 minutes, Roman Shirokov wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring. Arshavin slid a precise through ball to the midfielder who took too long to get his shot away with O'Dea making a smart block from 12 yards out.

Russia continued to press in a one-sided affair and was close to scoring an elusive winner on 85 minutes. Arshavin whipped an inviting set-piece into the box but Sergei Ignashevich's header could only find the side-netting.

It was not to be for the home side who missed their best chance of the game in the 89th minute. Shirokov's whirling cross into the box found the diving head of Konstantin Zyryanov, who saw his effort saved at point blank range by Given as the Irish defence scrambled the ball clear to earn what could be an important point.

Russia is next in Euro 2012 qualifcation action next month, traveling to Slovakia while the Republic of Ireland visits Andorra.


Russia

16
-
2
-
24
-
4
-
6
-
-
Igor Semshov
Midfielder
-
15
Roman Shirokov
Midfielder
-
18
-
10
-
81
Yuri Zhirkov
Defender
76′
-
11
-

Ireland Republic

-
1
Shay Given
Goalkeeper
-
2
Stephen Kelly
Defender
-
48
Darren O'Dea
Defender
-
11
Stephen Ward
Defender
90′
-
5
Richard Dunne
Defender
74′
-
6
Glenn Whelan
Midfielder
-
64
Aiden McGeady
Striker
-
17
Keith Andrews
Midfielder
-
16
Damien Duff
Midfielder
67′
-
29
Kevin Doyle
Striker
59′
-
10
Robbie Keane
Striker

Substitutes

-
Anton Shunin
Goalkeeper
-
49
Roman Shishkin
Defender
-
21
Dmitriy Torbinskiy
Midfielder
-
7
-
8
Denis Glushakov
Midfielder
-
29
-
9
-

Substitutes

-
20
Keiren Westwood
Goalkeeper
-
32
Kevin Foley
Defender
-
5
Damien Delaney
Defender
-
-
Liam Lawrence
Midfielder
-
12
Stephen Hunt
Midfielder
67′ 78′
-
4
James McCarthy
Midfielder
-
31
Simon Cox
Striker
59′

Coach/Manager

-
-

Coach/Manager

 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match