Russia satisfied with Liechtenstein victory
Monday, September 8, 2014
Article summary
Denis Glushakov admitted "luck was on our side" after Russia profited from two own goals against Liechtenstein – though there was a sense they could have won by more than 4-0.
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Article body
• Denis Glushakov says "luck was on Russia's side" after a 4-0 victory
• Home coach Fabio Capello identifies room for Russia improvement
• Midfielder Mario Frick, 40, says Liechtenstein's opponents were too fast
• The second goal was pivotal according to the visitors' boss, René Pauritsch
Denis Glushakov, Russia midfielder
This is the first time in my career that my side have benefited from two own goals in the same game. It is quite funny reflecting on it, but you cannot say our opponents helped us. If the Liechtenstein players just gave us the ball and let us score into an empty net, that would be completely different. We were organised in attack and pressed hard. Luck was on our side today.
It does not matter how many goals we scored in the first half, the most important thing is we managed to score four times and created a lot of chances. We need to respect every side we play and we must never go onto the pitch thinking we already have the result in the bag. If we do, we will achieve nothing. There are no easy games in international football.
The game in October against Sweden will be a lot tougher as they are on a completely different level to Liechtenstein. They have stars and a different style of play. It won't be easy.
Aleksandr Samedov, Russia midfielder
We prepared well and were told to keep our concentration at all times. It was a very important match. We created a lot of chances, but I think our finishing let us down at times. In the second half we managed three quick goals and that was great.
We should have taken our chances, but we were helped by the fact they took our chances for us. That's the first time I have experienced such a thing [two own goals]. We were all really happy for Artem Dzyuba [who scored his first international goal] as we had all been supporting him.
Fabio Capello, Russia coach
It was a good game. Unfortunately, we didn't take all of our chances. We had plenty of goalscoring opportunities, a number of positive moments. To advance and progress as a team we need to train more regularly. We create opportunities, but I think we need to improve how we win the ball back.
Mario Frick, Liechtenstein forward
In the first half we played very well and we had two or three chances, but Russia were too fast for us – they played very well. We had two or three chances and also [Sandro] Wieser with a free-kick. But scoring two own goals is very unlucky. Now we will look ahead because in October we face Moldova and Sweden and we will try and spring a surprise.
René Pauritsch, Liechtenstein coach
I want to congratulate Russia on a deserved victory. They needed this result. We did not have many chances and though I am proud of my team, in the second half we really started to tire. We were prepared for the match, but the second goal [a Franz Burgmeier own goal on 50 minutes] completely changed the course of game. It was a killer goal.