Soccer -- Russian team coach very much pleased with match result

MOSCOW, September 2 (Itar-Tass) -- The Euro 2012 qualifying match with
the Macedonian team was difficult for the Russian players since they were
expected only to win, their chief coach Dick Advocaat told a press
conference after the game won by the Russians 1:0. It took place at
Moscow's Luzhniki stadium.
Advocaat said he was greatly pleased with the result. It was a hard
match, particularly the first period, he noted. It was difficult because
all expected the team only to win. The first round was tense. The Russian
players could not control the game, but they needed to win. A replacement
was made during the break. The players began to act better in attacks. The
second period was better, he said.
The coach particularly noted that he was pleased with goalkeeper
Vyacheslav Malafeyev who had replaced injured Igor Akinfeyev. Malafeyev
coped with the hard match, he noted.
Advocaat also said Yuri Zhirkov performed very well. Maybe, the
spectators' support contributed to it.
The Russians will have the next qualifying meeting on Tuesday,
September 6, with Ireland's team, also in Luzhniki.