Kipiani Helps Russia Beat England
The Russia U18 team have played their second friendly against England.
The Russians won 2:1. Lokomotiv striker Nikolay Kipiani started the game and played full-time.
‘It’s difficult to play against the English, they are the European champions of 2014. They made six substitutions to refresh the squad while we had almost all the same men as on Monday. The game was tough today. They control the ball in no time, we had to run a lot. I think we haven’t run that much yet. To me, it looks like England is the strongest team we have played against. It was hard to play against Spain, but the Spanish control the ball for its own sake while the English immediately take it forward. We analyzed the first game carefully, and today we managed to avoid the mistakes we made on June 8th. We played well then, too, but it was obvious we feared them. Today we looked more relaxed. The coach persuaded us the English can be defeated. It was the key to today’s success’ - Kipiani told the RFS official website.
Friendly.
Russia - England - 2:1 (1:0)
Goals: Melkadze, 8 (1:0). Ojo, 80 pen.(1:1). Poluboyarinov, 90+2 (2:1).
Russia: Sukhoruchenko, Mayorskiy (Alibekov, 46), Yevtushenko, Stezhko, Skopintsev, Kipiani, Obolskiy (Suanov, 69), Shanbiev, Melkadze (c) (Akhmetov, 18), Mironov (Yamshchikov, 46), Serchenkov (Poluboyarinov, 69).
England: Woodman (Norman, 46), Connolly (Walker-Peters, 64), Lowe, Amos, Adarabioyo (Fry, 46), Moore, Dowell (Abraham, 70), Reed (Barlaser, 57), Armstrong (c) (Roberts, 63), Ahearne-Gran, Ojo.
Bookings: Mironov, 48. Kipiani, 68.
Referees: Panin, Filimonov, Raspopov (all - Russia)
June 10th. Khimki. Arena Khimki Stadium. 150 spectators.