MOSCOW -- Russia stayed on course for a
place in next year's World Cup finals after drawing 1-1 at home
to Yugoslavia in their European group one qualifier on Saturday.
The Russians top the group with 14 points from six matches,
six ahead of second-placed Switzerland who were playing the
Faroe Islands later on Saturday. Yugoslavia remain in fourth
place with six points from five games.
Yuri Kovtun put the hosts ahead in the 25th minute when his
mis-hit cross from the left sailed into the net, catching
Yugoslav goalkeeper Radovan Radakovic completely off-guard.
But Yugoslav captain Predrag Mijatovic, playing in his first
game after missing the last two qualifiers, equalised seven
minutes later when he latched on to a rebound after Ruslan
Nigmatullin had saved a close header from Savo Milosevic.
The Fiorentina striker, who quit the national team after a
row with former coach Milovan Djoric, beat Russia sweeper Igor
Chugainov to the ball and knocked it in to silence a
65,000-strong crowd.
Kovtun's goal helped the rugged Spartak Moscow fullback
erase painful memories. It was his first for Russia since he
scored an own goal in a European championship qualifier against
Norway in October 1998.
That late goal gave Norway a 1-0 win and probably cost the
Russians a place in the Euro2000 finals.
Russia, who beat Yugoslavia 1-0 in Belgrade five weeks ago,
pressed forward after the interval but were left empty-handed.
In the end it was the Yugoslavs who were unlucky not to get
the full points after Sinisa Mihajlovic hit the post with a
trademark left-footed free kick from 20-metres six minutes from
time.
"We have to be satisfied with the outcome, especially taking
into account that we earned four points from two games against
Yugoslavia," said Russia coach Oleg Romantsev.
Former Yugoslav international Dejan Savicevic, who made his
debut as coach after taking over from the sacked Djoric last
month, was equally happy.
"Both teams played to win but they had to settle for a draw
in the end," he said. "But we're not disappointed to get at
least a point because it leaves us a chance for the play-offs."
Switzerland scrambles to get win over Faroe Islands
TOFTIR, Faroe Islands -- A fine goal by Alexander
Frei gave Switzerland a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Faroe
Islands in a World Cup group one qualifier on Saturday.
The Swiss had struggled to overcome the firm resistance of
the Faroe Islanders until Frei struck with just 10 minutes left,
running onto Blaise Nkufo's neat lob to deftly score from the
first real chance of the match.
Midfielder Raphael Wicky struck the outside of a post for
Switzerland in injury time.
Switzerland have 11 points from six games, three points
behind Russia, who drew 1-1 with Yugoslavia. Slovenia are third
on 10 points.
Zlatko strikes twice as Slovenia beat Luxembourg 2-0
LJUBLJANA -- Valencia forward Zlatko
Zahovic scored twice to give Slovenia a 2-0 victory over
Luxembourg in their World Cup group one qualifier on Saturday.
Slovenia went ahead in the 35th minute when Zahovic scored
from the edge of the area.
He secured the points with a penalty in the 65th after
Luxembourg's Sascha Schneider brought down Dzoni Novak just
inside the box.
Slovenia remain in the third place in the group on ten
points, one behind Switzerland and four behind Russia.
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