MOSCOW, March 28 (RIA Novosti) - Roman Pavlyuchenko scored one and set up the other as Russia beat Azerbaijan 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Moscow on Saturday to move to within a point of Group 4 leaders Germany.
Despite the modest scoreline, Azerbaijan, one from bottom of the group after two defeats and one draw in three games, never looked like pulling off an upset in the near capacity Luzhniki stadium.
Indeed, Russia, playing in their new burgundy and gold kit, could have gone ahead as early as the 2nd minute when Arsenal's Andrei Arshavin dribbled into the box and shot straight at Azerbaijani keeper Farkhad Veliyev.
Despite Azerbaijan not having scored in ten away World Cup qualifying fixtures before the start of the match, the minnows, coached by veteran German manager Berti Vogts, showed no fear when going forward. However, unfortunately for the some 6,000 Azerbaijani fans present, the side's enthusiasm was not matched by its technique.
Russia had two borderline penalty appeals turned down in the 15th and 17th minutes, but should have gone ahead in the 27th when Pavlyuchenko failed to make contact with the ball after finding himself unmarked inside the box.
However, the out-of-favor Tottenham striker made amends five minutes later, hitting home a direct free kick that bounced awkwardly before beating Veliyev to open the scoring.
Guus Hiddink, back in Russia for the first time since taking over temporarily at Chelsea in February, kept an unchanged side for the second half, and Russia could have doubled their lead straight after the break when Arshavin just failed to get on the end of a Igor Semshov cross with the goal gaping.
The match lost some of its tempo after that chance, with the game bogged down in physical midfield battles. Russia finally got a second goal in the 71st minute, however, Pavlyuchenko sending a good pass into the penalty box for Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder Konstantin Zyryanov to slot past Veliyev.
Injury time saw Azerbaijan almost snatch a consolation goal when Vagif Javadov's shot from distance came back off the post with Igor Akinfeev stranded, but it was too little, too late for the organized but unimaginative Azerbaijanis.
The win means that Russia remain in second place, with nine points to Germany's ten. Both teams have now played four matches. Germany however face Liechtenstein later on Saturday and are almost certain to restore their four-point cushion. Russia travel to Liechtenstein on Wednesday, while Germany face a tricky tie in Wales the same evening.
The first-placed side in each of the nine European qualifying groups goes through to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, while the best eight second-placed sides play off for a spot at the tournament.
GROUP 4 (Four games played unless stated)
Germany - 10
Russia - 9
Wales - 6
Finland - 4 (three games)
Azerbaijan - 1
Lichtenstein -1 (three games)
