MOSCOW, September 2 (Itar-Tass) —— The Euro 2012 qualifying match with the Macedonian team was difficult for the Russian players since they were expected only to win, their chief coach Dick Advocaat told a press conference after the game won by the Russians 1:0. It took place at Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium.
Advocaat said he was greatly pleased with the result. It was a hard match, particularly the first period, he noted. It was difficult because all expected the team only to win. The first round was tense. The Russian players could not control the game, but they needed to win. A replacement was made during the break. The players began to act better in attacks. The second period was better, he said.
The coach particularly noted that he was pleased with goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeyev who had replaced injured Igor Akinfeyev. Malafeyev coped with the hard match, he noted.
Advocaat also said Yuri Zhirkov performed very well. Maybe, the spectators’ support contributed to it.
The Russians will have the next qualifying meeting on Tuesday, September 6, with Ireland’s team, also in Luzhniki.