Kerzhakov goals secure Russia's hopes

Russia 2 Liechtenstein 0

Alexander Kerzhakov bagged a brace as Russia kept alive their slim hopes of qualification for the 2006 World Cup with victory over Group 3 minnows Liechtenstein.

Yuri Syomin’s men are battling with Slovakia for second place in the group, but despite the win, the Slovakians’ superior goal difference ensures that the Russians remain in third place.

Russia dominated the game and had a chance to score the opener in the fourth minute when Liechtenstein keeper Peter Jehle brought down Roman Pavluchenko in the area.

However, Jehle redeemed himself by saving Sergei Ignashevitch’s penalty, before getting up to deny Andrei Arshavin from the rebound.

Jehle was the star of the show for the visitors denying Kerzhakov and Roman Pavluchenko before the deadlock was eventually broken in the 27th minute.

Arshavin’s shot from the edge of the box fell to Kerzhakov in the box and his powerful shot arrowed into the roof of the net.

The game calmed down in the second half but Russia had the advantage and played better than in their first-half showing.

Pavluchenko had an effort disallowed for offside on the hour mark before the lead was doubled just five minutes later.

Alexander Aniukov sent in a low cross that bypassed several defenders before Kerzhakov latched onto it and slotted home a low shot.

Igor Titov came out as a substitute in the 75th minute after two years in the international wilderness and had a good chance a minute later but sent his shot wide after another low cross from Aniukov.

The Russians will now turn their attentions towards the visit of Portugal on Wednesday with revenge firmly on their minds.

The Portuguese handed out a 7-1 thrashing in the reverse fixture in Lisbon, Russia’s heaviest international defeat since 1916, a result that cost former coach Georgi Yartsev and the country’s long-serving soccer chief Vyacheslav Koloskov their jobs.