MariamRUSSIA WINS AGAINST THE MIGHTY NETHERLANDS
An unbelievable victory for Russia as they triumph over netherland 3-1 at St.Jakob-park.
A sea of orange took over the stadium and it was no doubt who the favourites were in this game but Russia had some tricks up it sleeves too, from good old Guus Hidink.
If his team were going to go down, they were going to do so in the most spectacular fashion but the joy of it is that they didnt go down.
Two Dutch coaches managing, but only one supporting the Dutch.
FIRST HALF
From the very beginning you could see that no team was taking the chances.
They were both mentally an attacking team but who had the strength and the talents? It was to be answered on the night.
In yesterday's match fouls were the common thing, but it was a different game at St Jokob-Park, corners were popular and many of them were given.
In the 37th minute Sneider's shot on goal was blocked by Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.
Akinfeev made another two more brillliant saves before the end of the first half.
He is lined up amongst one the best goalkeepers in this competition by my standards and is an impressive young talent who is sure to progress further.
SECOND HALF
Robin Van Persie substituted for Kuyt at the beginning of the second half.
Van Persie's appearance made an impact straight away, he shot a volly in the 46th minute but the ball was wide from the goal.
In the 50th minute Boulahrouz was cautioned by the referee for a foul on Andrei Arshavin and coach Marco Van Basten took no chances and replaced him four minutes later.
After just playing for ten minutes Van Persie too received a yellow card.
And eventually an amazing goal was produced by Roman Pavlyuchencko in the 56th minute from Sergie Semak's cross and drived past Van Der Saar hands.
Bursting with confidence, Russia began to take more shots on goal and drove the team further forwards.
The Netherlands national streak of luck was beginning to appear.
They always perform the absolute best in group stages but fail to deliver much in the knock out stages.
Van Basten did what he usually does, he brought in more players starting with Ibrahim Affelay who replaced Orlando Engelaar.
Denis Kolodin was then cautioned for a dangerous challenge on Ruud Van Nilsteroy in the 71st minute.
When it seemed to be all over for the Netherllands Van Nistelrooy scored a header from Sneijder's delivery, four minutes from full time.
With no more goals to be presented in 90minutes of play, the game was then to be decided in extra time.
EXTRA TIME
Netherland quickly broke into attack and Sneijder took a shot on goal but it was saved by Akinfeev.
Arshavin did the same for Russia at the other end of the field and also no goal.
He continued to attack the Netherland defense everytime the ball landed at his feet hoping for a goal.
Pavlyuchenko almost scored in the seventh minute but the ball hit the crossbar instead and it was a rather unlucky blow for Russia.
The first period of extra time finished with no result.
.
The first effort in the second period came from Kolodin but his shot was blocked.
Finally there was a goal for Russia's scored by Dmitri Torbinski in the 22nd minute and Arshavin decidesd he wanted to join the scoring list in the 26th minute and did!
The final Whistle was blown and Russia raised their arms in glory where Netherland hung their heads in shame.
What a terrible way to say goodbye to Netherland but the perfect way for Russia to enter the semi-finals when no one thought they could and this just shows what they are capable of.
A sea of orange took over the stadium and it was no doubt who the favourites were in this game but Russia had some tricks up it sleeves too, from good old Guus Hidink.
If his team were going to go down, they were going to do so in the most spectacular fashion but the joy of it is that they didnt go down.
Two Dutch coaches managing, but only one supporting the Dutch.
FIRST HALF
From the very beginning you could see that no team was taking the chances.
They were both mentally an attacking team but who had the strength and the talents? It was to be answered on the night.
In yesterday's match fouls were the common thing, but it was a different game at St Jokob-Park, corners were popular and many of them were given.
In the 37th minute Sneider's shot on goal was blocked by Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.
Akinfeev made another two more brillliant saves before the end of the first half.
He is lined up amongst one the best goalkeepers in this competition by my standards and is an impressive young talent who is sure to progress further.
SECOND HALF
Robin Van Persie substituted for Kuyt at the beginning of the second half.
Van Persie's appearance made an impact straight away, he shot a volly in the 46th minute but the ball was wide from the goal.
In the 50th minute Boulahrouz was cautioned by the referee for a foul on Andrei Arshavin and coach Marco Van Basten took no chances and replaced him four minutes later.
After just playing for ten minutes Van Persie too received a yellow card.
Bursting with confidence, Russia began to take more shots on goal and drove the team further forwards.
The Netherlands national streak of luck was beginning to appear.
They always perform the absolute best in group stages but fail to deliver much in the knock out stages.
Van Basten did what he usually does, he brought in more players starting with Ibrahim Affelay who replaced Orlando Engelaar.
Denis Kolodin was then cautioned for a dangerous challenge on Ruud Van Nilsteroy in the 71st minute.
When it seemed to be all over for the Netherllands Van Nistelrooy scored a header from Sneijder's delivery, four minutes from full time.
With no more goals to be presented in 90minutes of play, the game was then to be decided in extra time.
EXTRA TIME
Netherland quickly broke into attack and Sneijder took a shot on goal but it was saved by Akinfeev.
Arshavin did the same for Russia at the other end of the field and also no goal.
He continued to attack the Netherland defense everytime the ball landed at his feet hoping for a goal.
Pavlyuchenko almost scored in the seventh minute but the ball hit the crossbar instead and it was a rather unlucky blow for Russia.
The first period of extra time finished with no result.
.
The first effort in the second period came from Kolodin but his shot was blocked.
Finally there was a goal for Russia's scored by Dmitri Torbinski in the 22nd minute and Arshavin decidesd he wanted to join the scoring list in the 26th minute and did!
The final Whistle was blown and Russia raised their arms in glory where Netherland hung their heads in shame.
What a terrible way to say goodbye to Netherland but the perfect way for Russia to enter the semi-finals when no one thought they could and this just shows what they are capable of.
