 |
 |
 |
|
MOSCOW (AP) -Konstantin Zyryanov converted a second-half penalty Wednesday to give Russia a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in a friendly rematch of their European Championship quarterfinal.
Robin van Persie put the visitors in the lead in the 24th minute with a right-footed curling kick from just outside the penalty box. The Netherlands controlled the game in the first half and van Persie came close to increasing the lead but goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev blocked his header from close range in the 29th.
Roman Pavlyuchenko had a chance to equalize for Russia, but failed to connect with Vladimir Bystrov's cross in front of an open net in the 31st.
Mark van Bommel then fouled Dmitry Torbinsky in the penalty area in the 78th, and Zyraynov slotted the ball into the right upper corner of the goal.
It was the third meeting between the two teams this year. The Netherlands won 4-1 in a friendly in February, while Russia upset the Dutch 3-1 in the quarterfinals of Euro 2008 before loosing to eventual champion Spain in the semifinals.
Both teams will open their World Cup qualifying campaigns on Sept. 10. Russia will host Wales in Group 4, while the Netherlands will travel to Macedonia.
---
Lineups:
Russia: Igor Akinfeev, Renat Yanbaev, Sergei Ignashevich, Denis Kolodin, Yuri Zhirkov, Konstantin Zyryanov, Igor Semshov, Sergei Semak, Vladimir Bystrov (Dmitri Torbinskiy, 62), Roman Pavlyuchenko (Nikita Bazhenov, 39), Andrei Arshavin (Roman Vorobyev, 87).
Netherlands: Maarten Stekelenburg, John Heitinga, Andre Ooijer, Joris Mathijsen, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Mark van Bommel, Robin van Persie (Ibrahim Afellay, 73), Nigel de Jong, Klaas Jan Hunterlaar (Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, 59), Rafael van der Vaart (Dirk Kuyt, 59), Arjen Robben.
