Niguez torments Russians
Spain u17 3-0 Russia u17
May 5 2006
By Andrew Haigh, Stade Alphonse Theis, Hesperange.
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Aaron Niguez scored one and set two up as Spain
dealt a blow to Russia's chances of qualifying.
The 3-0 victory almost guarantees Spain's qualification and leaves the tournament favourites top of group A.
The game started cagily with a just a couple of free-kicks at either end, both failing to beat the first defender.
After Niguez struck a 45 yard pop-shot which cleared the cross-bar by just a few inches, Spain began to take control.
Confident in defence, and with strong attacking movement off the ball, the Spaniards began to dominate and show
why they have been branded with the tag of tournament favourites.
However, chances for either side were at a premium and as the frustration began to grow, Niguez was booked for
a rash challenge on Amir Kashiev when he made a desperate lunge for the ball in midfield.
Niguez almost made up for his indiscipline with a free kick on 28 minutes. Kashiev was judged to handball as he
blocked the Valencia striker's original attempt.
Niguez struck the curling free-kick from 30 yards but did not get enough bend on the ball as it flew a yard wide
of the right-hand upright
Although less pleasurable for the Hesperange crowd, it was a testament to both defences that there wasn't an attempt
on target in the entire first half of the match.
Both teams would have been proud of their defensive efforts but would be disappointed by their lack of imagination
up front.
As the heavens opened during the break, the fans would have been hoping that a change in the weather would bring
a change in the flow of play.
And their wish was granted as the second half started in a completely different way to the first. Substitute Bojan
Krkic, who scored a hat-trick against Luxembourg put striker Ruben Ramos clear on the left side of the box inside
30 seconds. He should have hit the target from ten yards instead his effort was poor as he scuffed the ball wide
of the right post.
8 minutes later Ramos had another golden opportunity. Cesar Azpilicueta's cross from the right eluded every Russian
defender and fell to Ramos at the back post. His miss was a replica of his earlier attempt.
It was down to super-sub Krkic to again make a second-half impact. He danced through the right of the Russian defence
to the byline and cut back to the awaiting Niguez who slotted home from 7 yards.
Niguez's goal was well deserved as he his movement had constantly caused problems and created the best of Spanish
opportunities.
On 65 minutes, the Valencia frontman then switch to the left where he picked up the ball, scampered past two defenders
and crossed for Cristian Vergara to volley. His effort looked like it crossed the line but it was desperately cleared,
only to fall to Krkic who tapped home from four yards.
Russia's woes the worsened as Anton Vlasov was stretchered-off with a with suspected ligament damage and having
already made three substitutions, they were forced to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
Niguez continued to be a constant threat and could have doubled his personal tally on 31 minutes only to be thwarted
by a good save by Russian keeper Evgeny Pomazan.
A set piece straight off the training ground made the game certain for spain. Niguez laid-off for Guillem Savall
to strike, Pomazan this time parried and the ball fell kindly to Marcos Gullon who tapped in.
Russia could have had a consolation late on but for a terrific double save from goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo.
Niguez was substituted with just minutes remaining and received a standing ovation from the Spanish fans. His influence
was the dividing factor which turned what was before the break such a close match.
Attendance: 340
Teams:
Spain: Sergio Asenjo, Ramon Soria, Roberto Garcia, Ignacio Camacho, Cesar Azpilcueta (C), Marcos Gullon, Aaron
Niguez, Cesar Ortiz, Ruben Ramos, Guillem Savall, Jose M. Hermosa,
Subs: Jesus Coca, Manuel Castellano, Pedro Alcala, Cristian Vergara, Bojan Krkic, Jose Baena.
Russia: Evgeny Pomazan, Sergey Morozov, Artem Samsonov, Anton Vlasov, Vadim Gagloev(C), Semen Fomin, Alexander
Prudnikov, Igor Gorbatenko, Dmitry Ryzhov, Roman Amirhanov, Amir Kashiev,
Subs: Roman Savenkov, Alexander Sapeta, Evgeny Korotaev, Denis Shcherbak, Yan Bobrovskiy Pavel Mochalin, Alexandr
Marenich, |
