Category: All Sport

Pavel Golubev’s strike 20 seconds from time ensured Russia’s place in the fifth-place final in an enthralling 4-3 victory over Italy.

Italy almost made the perfect start when captain Agustin Nunez capitalized on Russia’s Dimitri Kuraev’s mistake, only to be denied by keeper Artem Dryanitsyn.

Russia had a chance of their own to take the lead when Semen Matkovskiy had a well struck effort from a penalty corner saved by Italy keeper Francesco Padovani.

Italy took the lead at the start of the second quarter after Julian Montone won his side a penalty corner. Francois Soir’s effort was struck powerfully and found the back of the net after coming off a Russian stick.

Italy continued their domination of the second quarter and were rewarded when skipper Nunez struck a thunderous effort which flew past Dryanitsyn in the Russian goal to put his side 2-0 up.

Russia fought back towards the end of the first half when Alexey Sobolevskiy’s beat a defender before his great pass was finished off by Dimitry Zheleznyakov.

Right on the verge of half time Dryanitsyn kept the score at 2-1 when he made a brilliant save from Soir after a penalty corner.

Russia started the second half the better, Georgii Arusia’s effort was saved by Padovani.

Seconds later the Russian’s earned two penalty corners in a row, they were awarded the second time round when Matkovskiy found the top corner to level the scores at 2-2.

Two minutes after Russia completed the comeback after a goal line scramble was finished off by Alexander Skiperskiy.

Italy became frustrated inside the final quarter, Lucas Stramanzo was shown a green card for a poor foul.

Once the two-minute green card period was over, the Italians came close to levelling through Soir, who was denied by the outside of the post.

The continued Italian pressure paid off when Mattia Amorosini found the back of the net to make the score 3-3 with just seven minutes to go.

Montone came close to winning it at one end for Italy, stretching for a ball across goal but was denied by Dryanitsyn.

However, 20 seconds from time Pavel Golubev struck at the back post to send his country into the fifth place final to face Scotland on Sunday.

by Tobias Hunt

Walker’s two goals ensured Ireland’s place in the semi-finals of the Men’s Hockey World Cup Qualifiers with a 2-0 win over Russia.

Ireland controlled possession in the opening exchanges, it only took them three minutes to open the scoring as Benjamin Walker converted from a great pass by John McKee.

The Irish nearly scored a second moments later as Conor Empey shot just over the bar.

Ireland seemed very composed on the ball in the first quarter with Kyle Marshall impressing.

Russia nearly equalizied but were denied by Ireland keeper Jamie Carr. Both sides had opportunities from a penalty corner but were denied by strong defensive plays.

At the start of the second quarter, McKee almost got Ireland’s second after Russian keeper Ivan Ozherlev came out of his goal, Mckee narrowly sent his effort wide.

Russia improved in the second quarter and were nearly rewarded when Alexey Sobolevskiy shot from a tight angle, just missing the back post.

Ireland managed the half well and went into half time 1-0 up.

Sobolevskiy made a brilliant run at the start of the second half before passing to Nikolay Yankun whose effort was well saved by Carr.

Walker doubled Ireland’s lead in the third quarter, after a brilliant piece of skill and pass from the experienced Shane O’Donoghue set him up to score his second of the match.

The Irish were close to going three up when Ozherlev made an impressive save from Conor Harte’s attempt from a penalty corner.

The Russians fought hard towards the end of the third quarter but didn’t manage to break down the stubborn Irish defence.

Sobolevskiy came close again midway through the fourth quarter, when his thunderous strike was denied by the leg of Irish keeper Carr.

Ozherlev made an excellent double save from an Ireland penalty corner to keep the score at 2-0.

Ireland held on in the closing stages to secure a 2-0 win and a place in the semi-finals against either Wales or Italy. Russia will drop into the fifth-place semi-finals where they’ll face the loser of the Wales and Italy game.

by Tobias Hunt