• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Manchester Football

A website about football in Manchester

Late Kerzhakov strike spares Akinfeev blushes after blunder

June 18, 2014 by Paul Chan

RUSSIA 1, SOUTH KOREA 1 (WORLD CUP GROUP H)

WET BALL SLIPS OUT OF IGOR AKINFEEV’S GRASP

Brazil’s draw with Mexico earlier will be remember for goalkeeping heroics from Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa in what was a very entertaining goal-less draw. In contrast, the World Cup’s third draw of the tournament will probably only be remembered for ridiculous heat and an embarrassing goalkeeping blunder by Igor Akinfeev.

In oppressively humid conditions at Estadio Pantanal in Cuiaba, both sides were struggling with the heat before the game had even started with all players soaked in sweat before the first quarter of the game was over.

Fabio Capello’s team had the conservative look and style of the England side of South Africa 2010 and the heat contributed to a slow paced game with long shots and little in the way of close quarters excitement.

Inevitably, the mistakes started to come as legs tired in the final quarter of the game.

Crucially, the humid conditions had meant a wet surface and inevitably a wet ball which was difficult to keep a hold of by the ‘keepers. This was more evident with experienced Russian ‘keeper Akinfeev who couldn’t hold on to any of South Korea’s long range efforts. He had already spilled a trio of South Korean shots before he committed a Robert Green-esque howler to concede.

It’s just a pity that South Korea couldn’t follow up their shots sooner or they might have profited more from their pot shots but they eventually celebrated a bizarre 69th minute goal when Lee Keunho’s shot was spilled out of his gloves by Akinfeev and looped into his own goal by the Russian who desperately tried to retrieve the loose ball before collapsing in a heap in his goal.

The Russian equaliser five minutes later had a very scrappy look about it after a goal mouth scramble. Alan Dzagoev’s shot was parried away by Jung Sung-ryong but the clearance by Kim Young-gwon fell to substitute Alexsandr Kerzhakov who made no mistake to score his 26th goal for Russia.

Alexander Kokorin spurned the chance of a winner for Russia who finished strongly as he headed a chance over the top.

Filed Under: International Tagged With: Alexandr Kerzhakov, Igor Akinfeev, Lee Keunho, Russia, South Korea, World Cup 2014

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Altrincham
  • Ashton United
  • Curzon Ashton
  • Europe
  • FA Cup
  • Hyde United
  • International
  • League Cup
  • Manchester City
  • Manchester City Women
  • Manchester United
  • Manchester United Women
  • Match Report
  • Melbourne City FC
  • Mossley
  • New York City FC
  • Non League
  • North West
  • Oldham Athletic
  • Player Ratings
  • Premier League
  • Salford City
  • Stalybridge Celtic
  • Stockport County
  • Stretford Paddock
  • UEFA Champions League
  • Uncategorized
  • Wigan Athletic

Manchester Football

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Search Manchester Football

RSS Youtube Videos

  • I don't have anything against Rico or Macca - Pep Guardiola previews the crucial Bournemouth game
  • “We did it for our fans!” Oliver Glasner on Crystal Palace FA Cup final win #mcfc #cpfc #facup
  • Omar Marmoush was ready to take the penalty - Pep Guardiola on FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace

Popular Tags

Anthony Martial Arsenal Aston Villa Bernardo Silva Bruno Fernandes Chelsea contract Crystal Palace David Moyes David Silva England Erik ten Hag Erling Haaland Everton Gabriel Jesus Gareth Taylor Harry Kane Huddersfield Town Ilkay Gundogan John Sheridan Jose Mourinho Juan Mata Kevin De Bruyne Leicester City Liverpool Louis van Gaal Manuel Pellegrini Marcus Rashford Newcastle United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Paul Pogba Pep Guardiola Phil Foden Player Ratings Raheem Sterling Riyad Mahrez Robin van Persie Sergio Aguero Southampton Tottenham Txiki Begiristain Vincent Kompany Wayne Rooney West Ham Yaya Toure

RSS Manchesterfootball Videos

  • I don't have anything against Rico or Macca - Pep Guardiola previews the crucial Bournemouth game May 18, 2025
    manchester football - Manchester City and United
  • “We did it for our fans!” Oliver Glasner on Crystal Palace FA Cup final win #mcfc #cpfc #facup May 17, 2025
    manchester football - Manchester City and United
  • Omar Marmoush was ready to take the penalty - Pep Guardiola on FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace May 17, 2025
    manchester football - Manchester City and United
  • I’m not concerned about the Europa League final, we need to change something that is deeper... May 11, 2025
    manchester football - Manchester City and United
  • His individual performance has been a strong point in a disappointing season - Graham Potter May 11, 2025
    manchester football - Manchester City and United

Copyright © 2025 · Manchesterfootball · Log in