Goncharov goal sends Russia into raptures
Tuesday 9 December 2008
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Vladimir Goncharov (No3) takes the plaudits from Alexey Petrov after his last-gasp winner (©sportsfile)
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Vladimir Goncharov scored with only three seconds remaining to give UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament hosts Russia victory against Slovenia.
Dramatic ending
Twice Russia led in the first half, but by the 28-minute mark Slovenia were in front. The home nation secured a 3-3 draw two seconds from time last night against Croatia; this time they levelled just under four minutes out through Dmitry Prudnikov, leaving time for Goncharov to send Russia top of Group A ahead of Italy on goals scored, three points clear of Slovenia and Croatia. Russia require just a point against Italy on Thursday; Slovenia need the hosts to win and to beat Croatia themselves.
Russia ahead
The hosts were ahead on four minutes when Prudnikov's cross to the far post was turned in by Dmitri Lyskov. Having conceded two equalisers in their 2-2 draw with Italy, Slovenia scored one themselves when Matic Račič turned the ball in from a tight angle after Domen Fratina's shot was blocked by Sergey Slemzin. Stung, the hosts took control and restored their lead when Aleksei Petrov's effort from distance was touched in by Ivan Milovanov.
Slovenia in front
Five minutes into the second half it was 2-2, Rok Mordej on target. That unsettled Russia and Ildar Nugumanov was sent off for retaliation. Gašper Vrhovec hit the crossbar in Slovenia's two minutes with an extra man. However, when Russia were back to five players they conceded almost immediately, Gaj Rosič's shot was parried by Slemzin and Kristjan Čujec turned in the rebound.
Final twist
Russia were given a lifeline with just under seven minutes left thanks to a sixth Slovenian foul but Petrov's double penalty was saved by Slemzin. However, from open play Prudnikov made no mistake from outside the box and when it seemed a draw would be the result, Goncharov produced a neat finish to send the Yubileyny Sports Palace into raptures.
Oleg Ivanov, Russia coach
"We don't train to score goals at the end of matches, we train our nerves. Both Croatia and Slovenia are serious opponents, very strong physically. Their players are very tall, so you can't beat them one-on-one without speed. Of course, after we took the lead, we had to score more goals to kill the game. We showed our character at the end again, and that's good. We have 14 equal players in the squad. [Vladimir] Ryabinin didn't play well in the first match, so I replaced him with Goncharov, who scored the decisive goal."
Zoran Tesko, Slovenia coach
"We played very well, it was a very good game and it was a difficult match right until the end. At the end it was our mistake from which Russia scored and we think that Russia yesterday and today are on a lucky streak – it is unbelievable to score twice in the last two or three seconds but they are a good team and we wish them the best."
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