The first rival of the Russian team at the Confederations Cup will be the New Zealand team. It is worth saying that the New Zealanders traveled to St. Petersburg for more than a day: they had to overcome more than 16,800 kilometers. It really is the other side of the earth!
Ao Thea Roa
New Zealand was one of the last to be explored in the Pacific: it happened around 1280. By that time, almost all places on earth were already inhabited, and only the islands lost in the Pacific waters remained uninhabited. According to legend, after a long journey through Polynesia, the Maori arrived in seven canoes. Because of the numerous volcanoes, the new homeland of the Polynesians was named Ao Thea Roa, which means “Land of the Long White Cloud” in Maori.
The first European visited there almost 400 years later. In 1642, the expedition of the Dutchman Abel Tasman landed on the shores of Ao Tea Roa. Alas, the meeting with the Maori ended sadly: the sailors were killed and eaten. Frustrated, Tasman left the land, calling it Killer Bay. For a long time the island remained unexplored. Only a century later, the Briton James Cook, who was looking for an unknown southern land, landed on the shores of Ao Thea Roa and declared it a colony of the British Empire. Cook later mapped the island, which he named New Zealand.
Now New Zealand is among the developed countries of the world. Most of the population is employed in the agro-industrial complex, since agricultural products account for 50% of exports.
New Zealand has three national languages: English, Maori and New Zealand Sign. The latter is spoken by over 24,000 people.
The average life expectancy of a New Zealander is over 80 years, which is the best in the world. No wonder. In New Zealand, great attention is paid to the environment. In 2005, a carbon tax was even introduced.
Help "Championship"
Approximate composition: Stefan Marinovich - Thomas Doyle, Michael Boxall, Andrew Durant. Themistoklis Tsimopoloutos, Kip Colvey - Ryan Thomas, Michael McGlinchey, Clayton Lewis - Marco Rojas, Chris Wood.
Head coach: Anthony Hudson.
Achievements: five-time winner of the Oceania Cup.
Magic Tolkien
The most famous New Zealander, director Peter Jackson, was inspired by the idea to film the books of his favorite writer Tolkien when he was still a teenager. He had no doubts when choosing a filming location: the endless expanses of New Zealand, mountains, waterfalls, rivers - all this takes you to the fantastic world of hobbits, elves, wizards and gnomes. Therefore, the filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit took place in places untouched by civilization. By the way, the New Zealand army even participated in the construction of scenery for the film adaptation of the story “The Hobbit, or There and Back Again”.
rugby country
Rugby is considered the national sport in New Zealand, so it is not surprising that New Zealanders are the only ones who have won the World Cup three times. The team has historically been nicknamed the All Blacks. This is due to the color of the uniforms that New Zealand rugby players have been wearing for over 100 years.
The New Zealand national team is known not only for its success, but also for its intimidating haka dance, during which players stomp their feet, beat their chests and stick out their tongues. It was danced by Maori warriors before the start of the battle to intimidate the enemy. In general, it looks really scary. But it gives you goosebumps.
By the way, football players, who also sometimes perform haka, will not dance at the Confederations Cup in Russia. It's all about FIFA rules.
Match schedule:
June 17, 18:00. Saint Petersburg. Russia - New Zealand.
21st of June. 21:00. Sochi. Mexico - New Zealand.
June 24. 18:00. Saint Petersburg. New Zealand - Portugal.
All whites
Football in New Zealand is far from the most popular sport. IN major league only 10 teams play, most of which are semi-professional. It is for this reason that most footballers in New Zealand do not stay long - they prefer to build a career in Europe, the USA, Canada or Australia.
If the rugby team is considered almost the best in the world, then there is not much to say about the football team. Since the first match that the national team played in 1904 against the Australian state of New South Wales, New Zealand football players have not been successful on the world stage. The national team has five championships in the Oceania Cup, but this is not a great achievement, since only six teams participate in the tournament. And Australia (since 2006 in the Asian zone. - Approx. "Championship"), which used to be the main competitor for the New Zealanders, is not among them. New Zealand has reached the World Cup only twice in its history - in 1982 and 2010. But at the tournament in South Africa, the New Zealanders still managed to check in: they went home undefeated (all three matches group stage ended in a draw. - Approx. "Championship").
As for the nickname, everything is by analogy with the rugby team. Only football players wear white uniforms, which is why they are called All Whites.
Who came to Russia
Anthony Hudson- The youngest coach at the Confederations Cup. The English specialist, the son of the famous football player Alan Hudson, is only 36 years old. In 2014, he replaced Ricky Herbert as head coach, and before that he worked with the Bahrain national team. Hudson spent a significant rejuvenation of the composition, abandoning many famous players.
New Zealand plays typically British football. Hudson uses a formation with three centre-backs and two strikers. It is noticeable that the only algorithm in the attack is a pass-and-give and numerous sheds and set pieces. In the last test match against Belarus, the New Zealanders shot only twice, while the Belarusians - 16. An insignificant fact that can say a lot on the eve of the opening match of the Confederations Cup.
If you look at the composition, you can hardly find a familiar name. Is that it Chris Wood, which in 2013-2015. played for Leicester and now plays in the Championship for Leeds United. Wood was Leeds and the Championship top scorer last season with 27 goals in 44 games.
It will not only be a test for a young coach, but will also show whether the New Zealand team is able to qualify for participation in the 2018 World Cup.
On the eve of the opening match of the Confederations Cup, he introduces readers to the first rival of the Russian team in the tournament - the New Zealand team. What is the famous coach of the islanders, which of the players main star teams that have in common New Zealand and North Ossetia - in the material "Lenta.ru".
Story
The New Zealand national team came to their fourth Confederations Cup. In the previous nine matches, the New Zealanders did not have enough stars from the sky: one draw and two goals - that's all the positive that the players have taken from the experience of playing in the tournament.
For the first time, New Zealand played in the Confederations Cup in Mexico in 1999 (then the competition did not yet have a rigid reference to the place and was not considered a rehearsal for the World Cup, as it is now). The islanders put up decent resistance to the Americans, losing 1:2, and then did not lose face in duels with the mighty of the world this - the Germans and Brazilians. Both meetings ended with the defeat of the New Zealanders - 0:2.
Confederations Cup 2017
Schedule of matches involving the New Zealand national team
Four years later, in France, the New Zealand team suffered two crushing defeats from the hosts of the tournament (0:5) and from the Japanese (0:3), and completed the inglorious campaign, scoring the second goal in the Confederations Cups. However, this did not save the team from another failure - this time in a meeting with the Colombians (1:3).
In South Africa-2009, the New Zealanders started with the familiar 0:5 from the Spaniards, then acted as diligent guests and surrendered to the mercy of the South Africans (0:2). The third match saw New Zealand's only draw in the history of the Confederations Cup - 0:0 with Iraq.
In 2013, the New Zealanders did not go to Brazil, losing in the semifinals of the Oceania Football Confederation Cup (OFC) to the New Caledonian team. The islanders redeemed themselves in 2016 by winning the OFC title for the fifth time in history. The All Whites (a nickname by analogy with the rugby team - the All Blacks - are their football compatriots) won all three matches of the group stage, but in the playoffs they started to have problems. The team was weakened by injuries, but the New Zealanders avenged New Caledonia in the semi-finals - 1:0. In the final, the New Zealand team defeated the Papua New Guinea team on penalties - 4:2.
Compound
Goalkeepers: (Newcastle Jets), (Unterhaching), (Walwijk).
Defenders: (Ipswich Town), Sam Brotherton (Sunderland), Storm Roo (Central Coast Mariners), Michael Boxall (Supersport United), Kip Colvey (San Jose Earthquais), Themistoklis Tsimopoloutos ( Giannina), (both Wellington Phoenix), Declan Winne (Vancouver), Dan Ingham (Brisbane Roar).
Midfielders: (Auckland City), Alex Arthur Rufer (both Wellington Phoenix), (Zwolle), (Marseille), (Melbourne Victory).
Forwards: (Ipswich Town), Shane Smeltz (Borneo), (Leeds United), Costa Barbaruses (no team).
Star
New Zealand football experts are confused in their testimony: some single out the 25-year-old goalkeeper of the German Unterhaching Stefan Marinovich, others - the 27-year-old striker of Greek origin Costa Barbaruses, who once played for Vladikavkaz Alania. In our opinion, only the 25-year-old Leeds forward justifies the proud title of a star, top scorer championship season Chris Wood.
A native of Auckland moved to England in less than 17 years. An almost two-meter striker (height 191) was brought to the West Bromwich academy by Roger Wilkinson. From the first days, the New Zealander has established himself as a driving forward, so his debut in the Premier League took place quite quickly. In April 2009, 17-year-old Wood entered the Fratton Park field against Portsmouth. Thus, Chris became the fifth New Zealander to play in the Premier League.
Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung / Getty Images
And although the forward failed to compete for a place at the base of West Bromwich, and the Drozdy left the Premier League at the end of the 2008/2009 season, the striker nevertheless signed his first professional contract with the club for two years, and in December 2009 extended him for another one and a half. In the autumn of the same year, Wood scored the first goal for West Bromwich: on September 15, with a powerful shot from 25 meters, Chris hit the gates of Doncaster Rovers and opened the scoring for goals in the Championship.
However, in early 2010, after a successful start at West Bromwich, Chris Wood began a long five-year wandering: he managed to play in seven (!!!) clubs, including Leicester City, where the tall striker ousted , which in those years only devoted fans of the "foxes" heard about.
On July 1, 2015, the New Zealander joined Leeds United, with whom he signed a four-year contract and fully revealed his goalscoring potential. In 80 matches for Leeds, the striker scored 40 goals, and last season he became the best scorer of the Championship, the second most powerful English championship. However, the exploits of the striker still did not allow United to compete for promotion to the Premier League: Leeds finished the 2016/2017 season in seventh place.
Confederations Cup - good chance for the forward to get on the pencil of the Premier League clubs. As part of the national team, he played 47 matches, scoring 19 goals. In the absence of an injured Reid, Chris Wood will certainly put on the captain's armband.
Trainer
Anthony Hudson is the youngest coach to come to the 2017 Confederations Cup.
The Englishman was born on March 11, 1981 in Seattle, USA, in the family of former Chelsea and Arsenal player Alan Hudson. WITH early years father identified his son in the youth system of the club of the English Premier League (EPL) " West Ham”, but Anthony never came to court there. When he was 17 years old, United loaned the player to Luton, where the player spent three years and went to conquer the Dutch championship in the First Division club NEC, with whom he signed a two-year contract. But six months later, Anthony returned to his native England. Unable to find acceptable options, Hudson packed up again and left in 2006 for the United States, where he got a job at the semi-professional club Wilmington from North Carolina. After playing 10 matches for a new team, Anthony Hudson made a difficult but correct decision: to complete a short professional career.
But there is no evil without good. In the United States, Anthony took his first steps as a coach: first he helped the head coach of Wilmington, and in 2008 he received an offer to lead the Maryland club from the same third league, becoming at 27 years old the youngest coach in the United States. After working in Maryland for two seasons and not achieving serious success, Anthony returned to England, where in 2011 he briefly headed the Tottenham double. Rumor has it that Harry Redknapp himself, who headed Spurs at that time, saw out the remarkable coaching talent in Hudson himself, and even compared him with the young Mourinho. By the way, during the 2012/2013 season, Hudson went on an internship with the Portuguese in and with Marcelo Bielsa - at Athletic.
In March 2012, Hudson left for Bahrain, where he worked first with the youth and then with the national team of the country. With the U23 team, he won the Persian Gulf Cup, and in October 2013 he was shortlisted for the position of head coach of the Danish national team. Taking bronze at the 2014 West Asian Football Federation Championship, Hudson was spotted by New Zealand selectors and introduced as head coach in August 2014 national team and at the same time the Olympic team of the country.
At first, Hudson achieved, perhaps, the main success: he returned the title to New Zealand in 2016 best team continent, lost in 2012 under Hudson's predecessor, Ricky Herbert. In the final of the tournament, the wards of the English specialist only beat the Papua New Guinea team in a penalty shootout.
The 2017 Confederations Cup is perhaps the first serious test in Anthony Hudson's coaching career.
Photo: Hagen Hopkins / Globallookpress.com
Data
1. At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the New Zealand team achieved impressive success, becoming the only team not to lose a single match in the tournament. Even the Spaniards who have become the best - and they have known the taste of defeat. The New Zealanders, however, failed to make it to the playoffs, bringing all three meetings of the group stage to a draw.
2. New Zealanders head coach Anthony Hudson is the youngest in Confederations Cup history. By the date of the opening match of the tournament with the Russians, the specialist will turn 36 years and 98 days old.
3. Plays for the New Zealand national team former player Vladikavkaz "Alania" - Costa Barbaruses, who spent the whole season in North Ossetia, scoring only two goals scored.
4. New Zealand football players do not forget their roots and perform the traditional haka dance before each match. Rugby players of the national team have observed this tradition since the 19th century; footballers who want to take away the title of the number one sport in the country from rugby are trying to keep up with them.
5. The total transfer value of New Zealand players is $17 million. For comparison: one forward of the Portuguese team, with whom the New Zealanders will meet in the group stage of the Confederations Cup, is estimated at $ 108 million.
Saint-Petersburg, Russia.— If each host country of large football tournaments could choose an opponent for the first game, New Zealand would be at the top of the list. Therefore, Russia did not miss its opportunity and started the Confederations Cup with a victory over the champions of Oceania.
In the presence of Vladimir Putin, the Russian team won 2-0 at the $1.4 billion stadium on Krestovsky Island. The hosts' game was very expressive, and its only negative point is that the Russians did not score six or seven goals. But cracking down on weaklings has a problem, which is that it rarely gives clues to the future, and coaches don't have the ability to assess the progress and success of their players.
But a victory is a victory, and it was badly needed by the Russian team, which spoke to President Putin, who said this week that Stanislav Cherchesov's team needed to raise the level of play on the eve of the World Cup. But next, the Russians will no longer be playing Anthony Hudson's New Zealanders, but Portugal, and this match will much better clarify the prospects for the Russian team, which will meet the Portuguese on Wednesday in Moscow.
New Zealand, ranked 95th in the FIFA rankings, got the opportunity to play in the Confederations Cup by beating Papua New Guinea in last year's Oceania Championship. If this team wants to return to Russia in 2018 for the World Cup, they will have to beat the Solomon Islands in the playoffs, and in November they will have the upper hand over the South American team that will be fifth in their qualification (currently Argentina).
New Zealand would need a real sporting prodigy to make it to the World Cup, and so Russia took a 2-0 win over them without much enthusiasm. But in the last 15 games, the Russians have won only three times, and they simply needed to win. This team is weakened due to the injury of Aslan Dzagoev and Artem Dziuba, not to mention the departure of Sergei Ignashevich and Vasily Berezutsky. In games against teams of a larger caliber, the absence of these experienced players will certainly take its toll, but still, Saturday was a good day for Russia, and now they have something to build on success.
Context
North Korean slaves Russian football
Suddeutsche Zeitung 05/30/2017An agent who knew too much?
Der Spiegel 01/18/2017Denis Glushakov and Fedor Smolov, who scored goals, made a good impression, as did the young CSKA player Alexander Golovin, who played in midfield. At the sight of 33-year-old Yuri Zhirkov, who was running like an arrow along the left flank for 90 minutes, and the graying 32-year-old Alexander Samedov with his inextinguishable energy, the whole team, and especially the youth, received an additional charge of vivacity.
Cherchesov built the game according to the 3-5-2 scheme, and it turned out to be too tough for the rather weak New Zealand team. And the transfers and movements of the hosts on the field certainly aroused admiration even from Putin, who watched the match on the podium, sitting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and before it started he delivered an inspirational speech.
“When the president of a country comes out to give a speech, it brings benefits, but also comes with additional responsibility,” said coach Cherchesov. “But we coped with the task, and now we will play further.”
But did Putin approve of the work of Cherchesov and his players personally after the game?
“Unfortunately, Putin is gone,” said the mentor of the Russian team ruefully.
Russia decided to start the game very actively, and it succeeded. In the first ten minutes, Golovin shot dangerously, and the goalkeeper had to hit the ball. Then Poloz took the ball in the penalty area and hit past the goalkeeper, so the defender had to save the gate. Vasin also hit the post with his head. The style of play remained largely unchanged, with Russia creating 17 chances, although scoring only twice.
New Zealand coach Hudson, whose team will face Mexico in Sochi on Wednesday, tried to take a lot of positive out of this game, saying that a clash of this level would benefit players who usually play in qualifying matches against countries such as Tahiti, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea.
“We need to be very determined and tough,” Hudson said. “We know that this tournament gives us an incredible opportunity… to improve and prepare for the qualifiers ahead of the World Cup.”
“We were a little upset, but a very, very strong team played against us. Russian team. We rarely get the opportunity to play with the best teams, so we got an incredible feeling and experience. They did not stop, they acted sharply and quickly. We knew the scenario that was waiting for us."
For Russia, which ranks 63rd in the world rankings between Scotland and Albania, it was an opportunity to lay the foundation and ease the pressure, although Cherchesov strongly insisted that the pressure was not a problem for him and his team.
“Does it take the pressure off? Pressure is the medical term for blood pressure, and I've been hearing about it for three days now. There is no pressure on us as a team,” he said. — The pace was high, we spent good game and got everything we wanted."
“You could see how nervous people were, but Russia had to win this first match. New Zealand also wanted to win, but we achieved a very good result. Everything went well".
Now it will be more and more difficult for Russia. But if her team manages to achieve a similar result in the fight against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in Moscow, then there will be much more reason for hope.
InoSMI materials contain estimates exclusively foreign media and do not reflect the position of the editors of InoSMI.
Will you watch the match between Russia and New Zealand at the Confederations Cup?
Mikhail Gershkovich: Right now I am on a train, going to St. Petersburg for the match of the Russian national team. I will definitely try to get to the match against Portugal in Moscow, I will probably watch the rest of the games on TV.
Michael Shats: Yes,
I will watch the match against New Zealand at the arena in St. Petersburg and I am going to finally enjoy it - for the first time at this stadium ( laughs).
Vyacheslav Koloskov: Of course, I will definitely watch it on TV. The family, however, does not like football, and my friends are minding their own business, so I will watch alone.
What do you expect from the game of the Russian team against New Zealand?
Gershkovich: First of all, victory. New Zealand is a good contender. Russia today has the opportunity to show everything that it was preparing for. Today the team has the first official game under the leadership of Stanislav Cherchesov, so it will be a special match.
Schatz: Personally, I'm looking forward to the holidays. Yesterday my friends and I recalled Vladimir Pereturin, who said: “ bad football or good - it doesn’t matter, for people it’s still a holiday. That's about the mood I'm going.
It seems to me that the Russian team has a real chance to win, maybe one of the few in this tournament.
Optimistic mood? Absolutely! Optimistic and relaxed. The weather in St. Petersburg is magnificent - the sun, plus 24, not a cloud in the sky. Everyone is "relaxed", the city has been cleared - everyone is just waiting for Vladimir Vladimirovich. So everything is perfect.
Koloskov: I want to see victory, of course. A few days ago, I was talking about how lucky we are in a sense to have New Zealand as our first opponent. This is a clear outsider of the tournament. This is the first official match for Russia in many months, and it is very convenient that in the game with this opponent the team can not only win, but also feel confident in their abilities and training process combinations. So in every sense it is very good that we got this opponent at the start.
I am absolutely sure that the Russian team will win today. I'm not convinced that with a big score, but the fact that the team will have a big game advantage is undeniable, for me anyway.
This game will show what we can do with such a dense defense, which the New Zealanders will certainly use. In any case, this game will give a lot of food for thought.
How will the fact that it is she who will open the tournament affect the game of the Russian team?
Gershkovich: I don't think it matters much. The most important thing is that the opponent who will be in front of us today is not a grand and we can handle it. It's very good that our first game will be like this. For example, Portugal and Mexico will have a slightly different situation.
The draw is very good, so I hope that we will win today and enter the tournament with good mood, as well as try out some tactical moments for the next opponents.
Schatz: It is clear that this is an additional psychological motivator and, conversely, some kind of block. It all depends on the mood.
It seems to me that there is no need for the players to be nervous. So what do they have to lose? The tournament is non-binding. In my opinion, there is no psychological pressure on the national team at all, no one expects anything from it. And it seems to me that in this situation any surprise is possible.
To be honest, I think that we definitely won’t get less than the semi-final, but I don’t know how it will turn out. Really I think so.
Koloskov: I don't think it matters. The main incentive for the players should be the desire to show the maximum of what she can do. The second incentive is prestige. All football players understand that it is necessary to gain authority and respect from the fans, and this can only be done through a good game. Thirdly, this is a trophy, the FIFA Cup, it will go down in history. And fourthly, the matches of the national team will be attended by their own spectators.
So there are enough incentives, the main thing is to implement them.
What does the Russian team need to defeat New Zealand?
Gershkovich: The main thing is complete concentration, because, I repeat, the level of the opponent is not very high. We probably have a little more skill than our opponent. Therefore, attention and full dedication, then the moments that we had in the matches with Hungary and Chile will be more, let's say, expressive today.
Schatz: Yes, just calmly go out and play football. You know, I generally liked the emerging risk of playing the Russian team in the last match against Chile. I think everything is going pretty well.
I don't know what New Zealand is like as a football team. The country is magnificent, but I don’t know what kind of team they have.
Koloskov: First of all, an appropriate attitude is required; without it, any advantage that exists in technology, tactics, physical training or incentives will absolutely not work.
Therefore, there should be an outrageous mood for a beautiful victory. If this happens, there is no doubt that Russia's technical and tactical indicators will be higher.
The mood will determine the final result today.
How will the match between Russia and New Zealand end?
Gershkovich: Let's enjoy the game. I think Russia will win today.
Schatz: I bet on the victory of the Russian team, and it seems to me that there will be few goals - 1:0 or 2:0. Something like that.
Koloskov: We'll win, but I don't think it's big.
You can get acquainted with other news, materials and statistics on the Confederations Cup - 2017, as well as in the groups of the sports department on social networks
Goals scored by Glushakov and Smolov
Today, June 17, the Confederations Cup 2017 started - the tournament preceding the World Cup. The 8 best teams are divided into two groups and have already entered the fight. The opening match was the confrontation between Russia and New Zealand, but we didn’t pass by this. All the details are in our online broadcast.
EVERYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD! The Russian team defeated New Zealand with a score of 2:0 in the first match of the 2017 Confederations Cup! Goals scored by Denis Glushakov and Fedor Smolov!
Congratulations to our guys, Stanislav Cherchesov and all the fans! That's all for us and see you soon!
90+3` Eh, Zhirkov couldn't shoot at Golovin, so only a corner.
90` Last substitution: Smolov gave way to Miranchuk.
89` Now Smolov threatened the goal from the penalty area - the goalkeeper confidently took the ball.
85` Earned a corner at the end of the match.
82` Smolov screwed up the defender and hung in the penalty area, where ... None of ours were there.
79` Zhirkov saved his compatriots by clearing the ball from the line!
78` Uuuuuuuuuh! Ryan Thomas struck very cool from outside the penalty area - Akinfeev dragged!
77` Substitution: Tarasov instead of Erokhin.
73` The second goal of the Russian team:
70` Russia's attack quickly unfolded, Samedov shot from the right flank into the penalty area, where the defender could not knock the ball out and Smolov calmly sent a projectile into the goal! 2:0!
69` GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
68` Stupid loss on someone else's half of the field.
65` Replacement was made by Cherchesov: Bukharov instead of Poloz.
63` Samedooooooov - next to the "nine"!
62` The Russians will take a dangerous free-kick!
60` Golovin moved to the center from the left flank and shot - oooooochen high.
58` One of New Zealand's rare attacks crashed against the Russian defenses.
55` Russia plays well and does not slow down in the second half, which pleases.
52` Poloz was now spinning the ball into the far corner - the goalkeeper came to the rescue! As long as we look great.
48` Aaaaaaaaaaaa! Poloz hit his head very dangerously - Marinovich saved, and then miraculously pulled out after Erokhin's blow!
46` Second half - away we go!
Break! After the first half, the Russian national team leads New Zealand with a score of 1:0, and the only goal was scored by Denis Glushakov! In general - everything is fine, the advantage is on our side and we are waiting for even more!
We rest for 15 minutes and return to our seats!
42` In the meantime, the end of the first half is already creeping up on us.
39` Smolov twisted the ball into the far corner - failed.
37` This is how Glushakov scored the first goal at the Confederations Cup 2017:
34` Another corner earned.
32` An excellent combination, Erokhin and Poloz brought Glushakov one on one, he threw the ball over the jumping goalkeeper and the defenders could not take him out of the gate! 1:0!
31` GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!
30` GOAL! Russian team scored! Smolov! Offside, alas.
29` So, for a few minutes we already have a lull.
26` Djikia kissed the ball with all his heart - Marinovich moved it to the corner, and with difficulty.
22` Chris Wood struck from outside the penalty area - too high, for our happiness.
20` Again in the attack Russia, the ball is close to the goal, but not in them.
18` Kick from the bottom - corner.
17` New Zealanders have earned a dangerous standard near our penalty area.
15` Again Poloz pushed through the defender, was alone in front of the goalkeeper, but instead of hitting he decided to try to earn a penalty... The referee is silent.
12` Barbaruses threatened the gates of Akinfeev, but it passed.
9` Poloz won the fight in someone else's penalty area, pierced the ball past the goalkeeper, but the defender took the ball out of the line!
7` Aaaaaaaaa! Vasin hit his head after a corner - barbell!
6` The Russians took the ball to their feet, which is good news.
3` Golovin fired powerfully from outside the penalty area - a corner!
3` Wow, we have guests here more often with the ball in the first minutes.
1` New Zealand threw the ball in the center of the field, we hope not for the last time in this match - away we go!
0` Ah, right! Congratulations to Stanislav Cherchesov on the first official match at the helm of the Russian team!
0` National anthems are playing! Quite a bit left!
0` Now FIFA President Gianni Infantino is at the microphone. He said in Russian "Dear friends, welcome! Thank you Kazan, Sochi, Moscow and St. Petersburg!"
0` Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks in front of the stands of St. Petersburg.
"Hundreds of thousands of people in Russia are in love with football. I am sure that our guests will recognize a country that is hospitable, hospitable and open to the world. It is here, in modern stadiums, that an uncompromising and fair struggle will be waged until the last seconds of the match! It will be a triumph of sports! Welcome to Russia ", - said Vladimir Vladimirovich.
0` By tradition, we start with starting lineups playing teams:
Russia: Akinfeev, Vasin, Jikia, Kudryashov, Golovin, Zhirkov, Samedov, Erokhin, Glushakov, Poloz, Smolov.
New Zealand: Marinovich, Durant, Colvey, Boxall, Winne, McGlinchey, Rojas, Smith, Thomas, Wood, Barbaruses.
0` Hello, hello, ladies and gentlemen, big and small football fans! Well, wait - the Confederations Cup 2017 has arrived! The tournament is about to be opened, and it will happen with a match between Russia and New Zealand! Slowly we are starting!
The Russian national football team, and indeed the whole country, has been going to this tournament for a long time. The season of the Russian Football Premier League(RFPL), as the players of the national team gathered to prepare for the Confederations Cup 2017 and managed to play two control matches. In one was in the second -
Alas, there was some force majeure: one of the key players is Roman Zobnin, and Stanislav Cherchesov had to come up with something on the go. But despite this, all players unanimously say that the main goal at KK-2017 is victory.
And it will be necessary to start today, with a duel against New Zealand. Perhaps not the most stellar team, but on the eve of the match Main coach Anthony Hudson said that his wards are eager to defeat the hosts of the tournament.
Therefore, the meeting will be not only responsible, but also principled. And how it will turn out in reality - we will find out very soon. "MK" will begin a live online broadcast of the opening match of the Confederations Cup 2017 exactly at 18:00 Moscow time!
