Russia 2 New Zealand 0 was the result of the opening game of the Confederations Cup which comprises a competition between the winners of the seven confederations plus the host nation of the next FIFA World Cup, in this case Russia.
The Groups
Group A
Russia (Host nation FIFA 2018) Mexico (CONCACAF) Portugal (Winner UEFA 2016) New Zealand (Oceania Football Confederation winner 2016)
Group B
Cameroon (2017 Africa Cup of Nations) Chile (2015 Copa América) Australia (2015 Asian Cup winner) Germany (Winner FIFA 2014)
The matches
Saturday June 17
Group A Russia 2 New Zealand 0
Saint Petersburg Stadium
Boxall 31 (own goal)
Smolov 69
17 shots, 9 on target (2 goals, 2 blocked, 6 saved) and 8 off was Russia's production tonight in which a fluid display of football swept the visitors off their feet. That said, New Zealand had their chances especially towards the end of the match and proved why the All Whites were such a sensation in the 2014 World Cup. However Russia dominated and put on a firm and sound display of football, the players with the most remarkable performances being Glushakov and Smolov, who had 4 shots on goal.
The Russian key to the match was pace and aggression, moving players onto the ball and running off the ball at the same time.
Next games
Sunday June 18
Group A
Portugal Mexico
Group B
Cameroon Chile
Monday June 19
Group B
Australia Germany
Wednesday June 21
Group A
Russia Portugal
Mexico New Zealand
Thursday June 22
Group B
Cameroon Australia
Germany Chile
Saturday June 24
Group A
Mexico Russia
New Zealand Portugal
Sunday June 25
Group B
Germany Cameroon
Chile Australia
Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey
Pravda.Ru
Sports Editor
timothy.hinchey@gmail.com
Twitter: TimothyBHinchey
Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey specialized in long distance running as a teenager and in 1974, at 16 years of age, achieved a time of 13.30.01 in the five thousand meters and a year later, a time of 28.00.21 in the ten thousand meters in regional competitions, however he chose not to enter competitive sport and preferred to play football (Soccer), handball, tennis, judo, Krav Maga, table tennis and badminton in his free time. Today at 58 years of age, he continues to play the same sports as a participant and maintains an active interest in all modalities as a spectator and commentator, beginning and ending each day with a routine of TaiJi.