RUSSIA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Russia's soccer coach Guus Hiddink praises his team after Russia defeats England 2 -1

Substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko scored twice as Russia came from behind to beat England 2-1 in a tense Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday (October 17). Wayne's Rooney's superb volley gave England a 29th-minute lead, and a scoreline that would have put them into next year's finals. But Pavlyuchenko came off the bench to convert a 69th-minute penalty after Rooney tripped Konstantin Zyryanov on the edge of the area. He prodded home another four minutes later after keeper Paul Robinson could only parry Alexei Berezutsky's shot. "I think the team did very well, it is a playing team, it is a joy to see, the creativity in this team. But on the other hand I like also this creativity to be translated sometimes into a little bit more efficiency. But we are very happy to have this result turned, so it is a compliment to the team and also to the power of reacting after the first goal blow against us," Russia coach Guus Hiddink told journalists at a news conference after the game. Russia's victory puts their qualifying campaign firmly back on track, though England can also still reach the finals, along with favourites Croatia, from Group E. "We have to focus on our game, which is difficult in Israel, and then in Andorra. First steps first, but that is why it was so important, so vital to have this game," Hiddink said. England coach Steve McClaren pointed to the spot kick as the decisive moment of the game, played on an artificial surface at the Luzhniki Stadium, after England had looked in control. "Nobody likes losing games and I don't like losing games like that, where, you know it is in our hands and five minutes of madness have cost us and turned it around. So I I am very disappointed and the players devastated in the dress room, but we stick together, the group is not over yet. It is out of our hands, but it is not over yet," he said. The result means Russia's qualifying hopes are now in their own hands but England are no longer masters of their own destiny. Croatia are top with 26 points from 10 games and two more to play, England are second on 23 points with one match left against Croatia at Wembley and Russia are third with 21 points from 10 matches. Russia, who have Israel and Andorra away, will qualify if they win both matches. Croatia need just a point from their next game against Macedonia or in their final game against England to qualify. England need to beat Croatia and hope Russia drop points against Israel on Nov. 17, given the unlikelihood of Guus Hiddink's side failing to beat Andorra four days later.

ITN Source | October 18, 2007

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