SLOVENIA 1 RUSSIA 0:SLOVENIA REACHED the 2010 World Cup finals at the expense of nine-man Russia thanks to Zlatko Dedic's 44th-minute goal on a dramatic night in Maribor.
The Bochum striker toe-ended in Valter Birsa’s cross a minute before half-time in what proved to be the game’s only goal to spark jubilant scenes at the Gradski Vrt stadium.
Russia, who had Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Yuri Zhirkov sent off in the second half, were left to rue some poor defending and an overall disjointed performance.
The late goal in Moscow had handed Slovenia a lifeline and they began the game with real purpose, whilst the Russians, having let a commanding two-goal cushion slip, looked nervy and disjointed, particularly in defence.
After 10 minutes later there was a huge let-off for Russia when Andraz Kirm’s cross from the left struck the leg of the hapless Sergei Ignashevich, who saw the ball rebound off the post.
Dedic then beat Yanbaev to a deep cross from Novakovic, but his header lacked power. As the clock ticked towards half-time, the home support erupted as Dedic got behind two Russian markers to turn in Birsa’s cross and give Slovenia the lead at the break.
But Russia’s night went from bad to worse when the Dinamo Moscow striker was shown a contentious red card by Norwegian referee Terje Hauge on 66 minutes.
Zhirkov’s cross from the left was whipped in dangerously towards Kerzhakov, who got the better of his marker and slid in on goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, appearing to make a legitimate stab at the loose ball.
The challenge was interpreted as dangerous play by the referee, and closer inspection of the incident also appears to show Slovenia defender Bostjan Cesar strike Kerzhakov in the face, while goalkeeper Handanovic chipped in with a retaliatory hand aimed at the striker.
Substitute Pavel Pogrebniak almost made an immediate impact with a 12-yard header from Arshavin’s cross that was held by Handanovic. As the game neared its dramatic climax, Zhirkov soared into the penalty box and hit a volley that Handanovic saved.
The ball was immediately cleared downfield to Dedic, who drilled a glorious opportunity wide. There were more ugly scenes in stoppage time as Zhirkov was shown a second yellow card following an altercation with a Slovenia substitute on the by-line.
SLOVENIA:Samir Handanovic, Brecko, Cesar, Suler, Jokic, Koren, Radosavljevic, Kirm, Birsa (Pecnik 78), Dedic (Stevanovic 90), Novakovic. Booked: Birsa, Samir Handanovic, Koren.
RUSSIA:Akinfeev, Zhirkov, Yanbaev (Semak 45), Aniukov, Ignashevich, Vasili Berezutsky, Bilyaletdinov (Pogrebniak 77), Denisov, Zyryanov, Pavlyuchenko (Kerzhakov 45), Arshavin. Sent Off: Kerzhakov (66), Zhirkov (90). Booked: Zhirkov, Bilyaletdinov, Denisov.
Referee:T Hauge (Norway).
2-2 on agg, Slovenia win on away goals
