Russia 1-0 Slovakia, Kerzhakov ('82) Scouting report: Russia, playing mostly 4-1-4-1, dominated possession but rarely threatened. They played a quick on-the-ground passing game, but in the absence of Roman Shirokov, their star midfielder, did very little in the final third. On defense, CB Vasili Berezutski was way off the pace; his partner Sergei Ignashevich looked sharper, covering and reading decently, making a good pass or two. RB Andrei Yeschenko got forward a lot, but gambled and lost on defense a couple of times. Second-half replacement RB Alexei Kozlov got in a couple of good crosses. At LB, Dmitri Kombarov was outmuscled once, but showed pace, and his excellent read and interception started the move that led to the goal. In midfield, Igor Denisov was OK as a mobile DM; he won the ball a couple of times but also fouled unnecessarily once or twice. Alan Dzagoev was erratic as a playmaker. Viktor Fayzulin showed strengths and weaknesses in the middle: he covered a lot of ground and made some good passes, but was also cleanly beaten a couple of times. RW Alexander Samedov was lively, but needs to be better at taking on his man. Oleg Shatov looked alert as both LM and RM, and showed very good technique, but didn't really create anything. Maxim Kannunikov came on for his national team debut as a left-sided AM, and looked rough around the edges, but attacked one of Kozlov's crosses nicely, and made the two best passes of the game: a reverse through ball and a perfect cross for the goal. At striker, Alexander Kokorin played mostly back to goal and centrally, and did nothing of note. Alexander Kerzhakov came on late, covered a lot more ground, and got free in the box for a perfectly placed header.
Algeria has been extremely impressive in their friendlies this year, while Russia and South Korea not. At 15-1 to leave the group Algeria may be the most underrated side at the tournament and a great bet at bookies. Expect Algeria's chances to jump drastically after this game and Russia's draw. Norway - Russia 1:1 Algeria - Armenia 3:0 by half time
So Algeria's only training camp friendlies are Armenia and Romania? Still have to watch the one against Armenia ... should be better than Norway v Russia (fell asleep while watching that one) ... maybe Algeria can help prevent this group from turning into the "group of boredom"? Algeria v. S.Korea probably will be the most exciting tie.
Korea Republic 0-1 Tunisia Very uninspired performance by the Korean side. Friendly is a still friendly but it is really worrisome if they can't get their act straight by the Ghana friendly.
Sweden 0 - Belgium 2. (Lukaku and Hazard) Sweden was without Zlatan and were sadly uninspired. Lukaku is in form, the triangle Hazard, de Bruyn, Mertens was interesting. Vermaelen at the left back hasn't show his best performance. There is a need to fall back more quickly to the defending positions on the side.