Russia will enter next month’s Euro 2012 qualifiers in confident fashion after notching up a win over Serbia on Wednesday evening.
Dick Advocaat’s men saw off the visitors 1-0 in the game, which was more than friendly for both sides. “Russia and Serbia – friends forever” read a huge banner, welcoming the two sides. And during the game, fans behind each goal were chanting Kosovo je Srbija (Kosovo is Serbia).
Back on the pitch, after a goalless first half, Pavel Pogrebnyak made the difference eight minutes after the break. The Stuttgart forward mopped up after Roman Pavlyuchenko’s initial strike.
A wet, slippery surface at the Lokomotiv Stadium did not make it easy for either side to play attractive football. However, both sides had several good opportunities to score at the end of the game, but failed to convert.
Dick Advocaat’s charges now take on Macedonia and the Republic of Ireland in crunch European qualifiers at the start of next month.