ZENIT LOOK TO KEEP UNBEATEN RUN ALIVE AGAINST ANZHI

After a long hiatus, the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia returns to play on Sunday as league leaders Zenit Saint Petersburg make the trip to the North Caucasus region to face Anzhi Makhachkala.


In the make-up match of week eleven, Luciano Spalletti's Saint Petersburg side hold a narrow one-point lead over CSKA and are without a loss this year. Following the Russian Cup victory, Zenit look on a confident course towards the double and showing few notable weaknesses. Though it is easy to poke holes in the less than notable attacking output, with only thirteen goals in ten contests, the well-disciplined play has Zenit poised for European competition.

Clearly, the Italian tactician has prioritized the defending aspect first and as they begin to gel on the attacking front, they will be a formidable unit not simply domestically but have a chance to push deep into the Champions League.

Unsatisfied with the production of Alexandr Kerzhakov, Zenit is said to have agreed to terms to see Alexndr Bukharov arrive from Rubin Kazan in August, seemingly making the former expendable. Though the club has yet to have any formal signings, they are extremely busy in the transfer market and announcements seem imminent.

While the horizon for Zenit is highly optimistic, on Sunday they face a unique test in Makhachkala. Unsure of the availability of Danny, returning from Portugal's disappointing World Cup performance, Zenit should expect a compact defending front from Gadzhi Gadzhiev’s side. Displaying a tough defending front, they held Dynamo to a 1-1 draw in the final match before the break and have recently demonstrated an ability to gut out results.

Knowing they are in the thick of a relegation battle, the veteran leader will not be shy of locking down the contest and forcing Zenit to push forward, thus opening up the counter. Though Zenit is not short on attacking quality, that includes the emergence of Russian U21 striker Maxim Kanunnikov and should come out with the full three points, they will need to be aggressive going forward.

SCHWEINSTEIGER: FAIR PLAY – NOT ABOUT ARGENTINA

Leader of the German national team recollects only negative impressions on their World Cup-2006 quarterfinal match against Argentina, even despite his team won the game in penalty shootout series.


"The first thing which I recall is not the penalty series, but constant provocations from the side of Argentinean players", Schweinsteiger said. "They had been challenging us all the time during the game and asked yellow cards for us every time when they fell down. So I should say that fair play rules are not for Argentina".

"Maybe this situation will repeat on Friday, and the main thing for us is to be able to rests them. Torsten Frings didn’t keep his emotions four years ago and was sent off the pitch. It’s hard to make yourself not to respond to provocations, but there is no other way out".

"If we focus our attention only on Lionel Messi, we will lose at once. It’s necessary to play against the whole team, but not against one player".

"This match will be a fight of tactics, and if our tactics is right, Argentina will be defeated. Messi hasn’t scored any goals at this competition and we will try to leave his statistics the same".

"Number of star players in the national team doesn’t make it winner of the World Cup, because only the team, which is better prepared at crucial moment. Our team is ready for success and the only thing which we lack is experience".

ZAKHAROV: NOTHING STRANGE IN REFEREES’ MISTAKES

Former outstanding referee Igor Zakharov shares his attitude to problems of refereeing at World Cup in South Africa.

"There is nothing surprising that referees make so many mistakes", Russia’s best rereferee-2008 according to sport press voting said. "Teams began playing more aggressively, level of football has grown too and referees’ work becomes more difficult. They make wrong decisions under pressure".

"When Villa netted a goal in the match against Portugal, this moment was difficult and everything depended on position of linesman, maybe he couldn’t see the episode very well. In general I liked how referees worked at this game".

"To my mind we shouldn’t introduce system of video replay to football, because the game will lose its dynamics, and it can also provoke negative behaviour. Moreover referees’ mistakes are part of football, some kind of entertaining, as fans get an opportunity to argue about their decisions".

ZENIT WANTS TO PART WITH PUYGRENIER

Zenit Saint Petersburg is ready to sell French defender Sebastian Puygrenier.


Contract of the French player with Saint Petersburg club will expire in 2012. last season Puygrenier played in Monaco on a loan and returned to Saint Petersburg to take part in preparation camp in Austria. According to sport press information Monaco would like to loan the defender again, but Zenit has different point of view on the situation.

"Puygrenier is good player, however we decided to put his name on a transfer list", Zenit general director Maxim Mitrofanov explained to sport press. "We want to sell him".

EUROPA LEAGUE QUALIFYING ROUND KICKS OFF

The opening leg of the first round of Europa League qualifiers kicked-off with a series of exciting results, led by Randers and Anorthosis Famagusta dominating performances and former CSKA Moscow man Juris Laizāns notching a late levelling goal for Skonto. In the third qualifying round, Russia’s Sibir Novosibirsk enters the tournament, with Lokomotiv and CSKA coming in during the playoffs.


Denmark's Randers started their Europa League efforts with a flourishing 6-1 victory over F91 Dudelange, with Yura Movsisyan leading the way with two goals. Continuing where they left off last year under veteran manager Ove Christensen, Randers took the lead at the sixteenth minute with Tidiane Sane hitting the mark. Only a minute later, Yura Movsisyan hit for the first of his two goals, with the hosts were in clear control. Twelve minutes shy of the break Ricki Olsen gave Randers the commanding 3-0 lead at the break. Two minutes after the restart, Søren Pedersen added to the lead from the spot before Sofian Benzouien pulled one back at the forty-ninth minute. As regulation time ticked-down, Yura Movsisyan added to his memorable evening with his second goal to give Randers the affirming 6-1 victory

Armenian Premier League side Banants problematic play on the European stage continued, as they were overwhelmed 3-0 by Cypriot powerhouse Anorthosis Famagusta. New manager Stevica Kuzmanovski saw his visiting side fall behind quickly as Nikos Katsavakis and Yiannis Okkas hit before the thirty-first minute to give for Anorthosis a two-goal lead and from general play, the match was ostensibly over. At the sixty-fourth minute, veteran Cafú added an insurance marker to bring the match to a 3-0 finale.

Latvia's Skonto added a last gasp leveller by former CSKA Moscow man Juris Laizāns to play host Portadown to a 1-1 draw. The Northern Irish side went in front seven minutes before the break with Richard Lecky's marker. With two minutes remaining in regulation time, Christopher Ramsey received his second yellow-card, forcing the hosts to play a man down for the remaining time. In the third minute of added-time, Juris Laizāns, who last played in Russia for Shinnik Yaroslavl, posted the leveller to bring the match to 1-1 draw, honours even.

In front of their home supporters, Dinamo Tbilisi defeated Estonia's Flora 2-1. After Alo Dupikov gave the visitors the lead at the ninth minute, Georgi Kakhelishvili levelled the contest midway of the half. Three minutes past the hour, Georgian international Levan Khmaladze scored from the spot to give the home side the 2-1 lead they would not relinquish.

Belorussian side Dnepr Mogilev added a last gasp goal to play KF Laçi to a 1-1 draw in Durres, Albania. After Bledar Marashi gave the hosts the 1-0 lead at the twenty-third minute, Laçi looked to be headed for the victory before Dmitry Turlin squared the match deep into added-time.

In front of their home supporters, Georgia's Zestafoni hammered Faetano 5-0. The San Marino side was overwhelmed as Nikoloz Gelashvili hit for two goals midway of the half, sandwiched between Jaba Dvali's marker. The latter added a second after the break with substitute Tornike Gorgiashvili scoring in added-time to round out the scoring.

Belarusian side Torpedo Zhodino gave their home fans something to cheer about with an affirming 3-0 victory over Reykjavík's Fylkir. After a scoreless opening half, Aliaksandr Lisouski's men erupted with Ihor Kryvobok, Ogar and Syarhey Kantsavy scoring within a fifteen-minute span starting at the fifty-second minute.

Moldovan side Dacia held host FK Zeta to a 1-1 draw. After Ghenadie Orbu gave the visitors the lead six minutes before the break, the Montenegrin's levelled at the seventy-ninth minute as Zarija Peličić connected from the spot.

Myllykosken Pallo (MYPA) of Finland's Veikkausliiga defeated host Narva Trans 2-0 at Lilleküla Stadium in Tallinn. After a scoreless opening half, Janne Lindberg's visiting side took the lead with Russian native Maxim Votinov’s goal at the forty-seventh minute with Aleksei Gorškov victimized for an own goal six minutes later.

Llanelli, of the Welsh Premier League, came from behind to play visitors Tauras Tauragė to a 2-2 draw. The Lithuanian's jumped in front at the ninth minute via Marius Kižys' effort, before David Thomas squared the match eight minutes later. Marius Kižys restored the lead three minutes later, with Stuart Jones levelling at the forty-seventh minute. With a minute remaining in regulation time, Andy Legg's side were forced to play a man down after veteran Christopher Holloway received his second yellow-card but they managed to hold off any advances with the match ending as a draw.

Icelandic force, KR Reykjavík defeated Glentoran at the KR-völlur. In front of their home supporters, Logi Ólafsson's side took the lead three minutes shy of the quarter-hour via Guðmundur Gunnarsson's marker. At the thirty-second minute, Kjartan Finnbogason, who spent time with Falkirk of the Scottish Premier League last year, doubled the margin. Veteran Icelandic international Björgólfur Takefusa rounded out the scoring just past the hour as Reykjavík cruised to the 3-0 victory.

Bosnia and Herzegovinan Premier League runners-up Široki Brijeg defeated Olimpija 2-0 in Ljubljana Slovenia. Veteran attacker Wagner gave Ivo Ištuk's men the lead just before the break with his Brazilian compatriot Renato making it 2-0 with twenty-two minutes remaining in regulation time.

At Hrazdan Central Stadium in Yerevan Armenia, host Ulisses played Israeli Premier League side Bnei Yehuda to a scoreless draw. Despite the dominating the match for long stretches of the contest, the hosts could not breakthrough goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba, with Armenian international Norayr Sahakyan narrowly missing breaking the deadlock late in the affair.

Courtesy of a later marker by Ricardo Santos, host Kalmar FF of the Swedish Allsvenskan edged Faroese side EB/Streymur 1-0.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's HŠK Zrinjski Mostar defeated Tobol Kostanay 2-1, courtesy of Mate Dragičević's two goals. After Nurbol Zhumaskaliyev gave the host Kazakhstan's side at the thirteenth minute, Dragan Jović's side from Mostar came back with two second-half goals by the veteran for the victory.

Macedonian Premier League runners-up Rabotnički slaughtered Andorra's FC Lusitans before their home fans in Skopje. Zé Carlos and Macedonian international Wandeir gave the hosts the 2-0 lead at the break, before blowing the match wide open with three goals in five minutes just before the hour mark. After Fábio Silva scored twice within a minute of the fifty-fifth minute, Muarem made it 5-0 on the hour.

Visiting Ruch Chorzów of the Polish Ekstraklasa came from behind to defeat Shakhtyor Karagandy 2-1. After Aldin Ðidić gave the hosts the 1-0 lead at the seventh minute, Waldemar Fornalik's side levelled just before the break with Łukasz Janoszka finding the mark. Three minutes after the restart, veteran Wojciech Grzyb connected from the spot to give his side the 2-1 victory.

János Csank's Zalaegerszegi Torna Egylet of the Hungarian Soproni Liga played host KF Tirana to a scoreless draw, in a contest of few opportunities.

At Zimbru Stadium in Chişinău, host Olimpia Bălţi played Lankaran to a scoreless draw, in a highly defensive contest.

Finland's Turun Palloseura (TPS) devastated Wales side Port Talbot Town in front of their host fans with up and comer Riku Riski scoring twice and Babatunde Wusu adding a third before the break. Martin Rose lodged an important away goal with twenty minutes on the clock to bring the match to a 3-1 final.

Slovakia's Nitra came from behind to play Győri ETO to a 2-2 draw. In front of their home fans, Martin Tóth gave the Slovaks the 1-0 lead two minutes shy of the quarter-hour before Estonia international Tarmo Kink hit for two. Ten minutes prior to the end of regulation time, Roman Sloboda added the leveller.

Qarabağ defeated visiting Macedonian side Metalurg Skopje 4-1, in a match that featured three goals in the final six mintues. Rashad Sadygov gave the hosts the 1-0 lead from the spot at the twenty-sixth minute before Afran Ismayilov scored just before the break. Six minutes after the restart Admir Teli was red-carded but despite the man disadvantage Afran Ismayilov added his second three minutes later to make it 3-0. In added-time Giorgi Adamia scored in added-time before Marko Simonovski gave the Macedonian's hope and bring the match to a 4-1 conclusion.

Croatia's HNK Šibenik played visiting Malta side Sliema Wanderers to a scoreless draw that saw few notable advances.

Mogren of the Montenegrin First League visit of Andorra concluded with a 3-0 victory over UE Santa Coloma. After Petar Grbić gave the visitors the lead at the fourteenth minute, Danilo Čulafić and Marko Ćetković added late goals in the final ten minutes to round up the scoring.

Visiting Republic of Ireland side Dundalk played Grevenmacher to a 3-3 draw in Luxembourg. After Fahrudin Kudozović and veteran, player-coach Wayne Hatswell gave Dundalk the two goal advantage the Luxembourgian's fought back with three unanswered markers. After Tim Heinz, Gabriel Pereira and Jorge Almeida gave the hosts the lead, an own-goal by Khalid Benichou late in the contest squared the match.

Visiting Gefle IF of Sweden's Allsvenskan defeated Faroe Island's side NSÍ Runavík 2-0 in Tórshavn, courtesy of Alexander Gerndt's brace.

TOUGH CHOICES FOR YURIY SEMIN’S LOKOMOTIV

After a trying start to the campaign that saw their pre-season hopes languish with mid-table play, Lokomotiv Moscow were hopeful of re-tooling their anaemic attack with the acquisition of a premier striker during the summer transfer season.


The Railwayman had been hopeful of attracting Roman Pavlyuchenko from Tottenham, the Russian international's late season in-form and personal wishes to say in England saw that chance evaporate.

Manager Yuriy Semin has been anxious to upgrade his under-performing attacking unit with Dramane Traoré and Peter Odemwingie on the sales block. Hopes that Peter Odemwingie would raise his value with a quality performance for Nigeria in the World Cup quickly dissipated with sub-standard play and the once lofty fee in the €10 million range was undercut by England Premier League side Birmingham City with an offer of €2 million, to which club president Nikolay Naumov appropriately rejected.

While former Dynamo Kyiv man Oleksandr Aliyev has been an attacking revelation for the Railwayman, the lack for production at striker, the need to play Dmitri Sychev out of position and the extended absence of Wágner due to injury, has created a storm of problems for the Lokomotiv mastermind Yuriy Semin. Furthermore, as the Railwayman ready for the second half of the campaign, there is considerable concern that Renat Yanbaev could be on his way to London powerhouse Arsenal. Such a loss, akin to the departure of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov to Everton last year, could put a significant roadblock in their efforts to climb up the table.

With the Nigerian international’s stock dipping so low, Lokomotiv are a precarious position of trying to recoup their expected sales, attracting a more experienced striker such as Alexandr Kerzhakov, seemingly on his way out at Zenit Saint Petersburg or look for new man Maicon to play a greater role. Though Lokomotiv possesses a fine stable of young strikers that will play a role in the horizon, including Alexandr Minchenkov, Georgiy Nurov, Dmitry Poloz and sixteen year-old Soslan Dzhioyev, each will require significant time curing and unlikely to be a factor in the second half.

Lokomotiv Moscow returns to play on 10 July as they visit Anzhi Makhachkala.

ZENIT TO BUY RETO ZIEGLER

Leaders of the Russian championship Zenit is close to signing Swiss defender Reto Ziegler.


The Saint Petersburg club is interested in acquiring the 24-year-old defender Reto Ziegler, who made three appearances in World Cup group stage for Switzerland.

According to sport press information Zenit will pay € 4 million for transfer of Sampdoria man.