Gazzayev adds a third goalkeeper to squad for Euro qualifier

RUSSIA coach Valery Gazzayev has added 17-year-old CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev to his 20-man squad for Saturday’s Euro 2004 Group 10 qualifier against Switzerland.

“He played well in Samara on Saturday, so I have decided to give him a chance with the national team,” Gazzayev, who also coaches CSKA, told a news conference yesterday.

Akinfeyev, who turned 17 two months ago, made an impressive premier league debut against Krylya Sovietov Samara as he saved a penalty by Russian international Andrei Karyaka with two minutes remaining to preserve CSKA’s 2-0 lead.