Kerzhakov laments Russia's lack of killer instinct against Poland

Jun 13, 2012 11:36:00 AM

The Zenit forward concedes he expected a tough game against the co-hosts but thinks his side could have won it, while claiming the pitch in Warsaw was not up to scratch

Russia forward Aleksandr Kerzhakov has lamented his side’s inability to find a winning goal in their 1-1 Group A draw with co-hosts Poland on Tuesday.

Having taken a first-half lead through Alan Dzagoev, the Russian’s failed to secure their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 as they were pegged back by Jakub Blaszczykowski's second-half wonder strike.

Dick Advocaat’s men now go into the final round of group games knowing a draw against Greece will see them safely through to the knockout stages, but Kerzhakov rued his side’s failure to find a winner against Poland, although he admitted he was not expecting an easy game.

“No one thought that the match would be a walk in the park,” Kerzhakov told reporters.

“In the first half we played as we did against Czech Republic, only we scored one goal less. And that was the one we needed for victory.

“We just lacked the killer pass. We counterattacked well and there were moments of 'four on four' or 'three on three' but we couldn't finish them.”

Despite admitting his side's lack of decisiveness up front against Poland, the Zenit St Petersburg forward believes the team were not helped by the state of the pitch.

"[The grass] was worse than in the first match. In Wroclaw there was really good grass. To be honest, I've never seen grass like that in the finals of a European Championship.”

Russia currently lead Group A with four points, one ahead of Czech Republic and two clear of Poland, with Greece bottom of the section with just one point.

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