Russia comeback floors Hungary
Thursday, March 24, 2011
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Hungary 1-2 Russia
Artem Fedchuk and Ivan Khomuha scored a quick-fire second-half double as Russia turned around a half-time deficit.
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Russia recovered from an early deficit to record an opening victory in UEFA European Under-17 Championship elite round Group 7 in Hungary, with second-half substitute Artem Fedchuk making the difference.
Hungary took a seventh-minute lead when Márk Szécsi's surging run forward created space for him to shoot low under Russia goalkeeper Artem Leonov from 20 metres. The hosts were dealt a blow soon after when captain Ramón Halmai was forced off with a foot injury but they regrouped to maintain their lead at half-time.
Despite bringing on Nikita Lobanov at the break, Russia still showed no signs of being able to turn the game around until Fedchuk entered the fray on 57 minutes. Within three minutes he had equalised, firing in from six metres after a deflected shot found its way to him in front of goal.
Three minutes later, and with Russia now dominant, Roman Zobnin's right-wing corner was headed in at the back post by centre-back Ivan Khomuha. Russia remained dangerous thereafter and although Hungary striker Soma Nowothny broke away and fashioned an opportunity to salvage a point, his poked shot was blocked by Leonov.