Russia extends unbeaten run under Capello
MOSCOW, Nov 14, 2012 (AFP) - Fabio Capello extended his unbeaten run as Russia coach on Wednesday, as his side drew 2-2 with the United States in a friendly in Krasnodar.
Anzhi Makhachkala forward Fedor Smolov and Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Roman Shirokov both scored for the home side, while midfielders Michael Bradley and Mikkel Deskerud were on target for the visitors.
The hosts started in a lively fashion pinning back the Americans, who were weakened with the absence of Tottenham Hotspur's Klint Dempsey and Langdon Donovan of LA Galazy, from the kick-off.
Smolov put Russia 1-0 up in the ninth minute, giving US goalkeeper Tim Howard of English Premier League side Everton no chance from close range after a mix-up in defence.
Bradley, of Serie A outfit Roma, however, levelled in the 76th minute with a volley from outside the box, which struck the left-hand post and ricocheted into the net, after being fed with a header by team-mate Josmer Altidore.
Russia poured forward for the winning goal and in the 84th minute Shirokov scored from the spot after Spartak Moscow forward Artem Dzyuba was fouled in the box.
But they failed to keep their lead through as Norwegian side Rosenborg halfback Deskerud saved the day, levelling the score in the second minute of added time -- again with a volley from outside the box.
Russia drew 1-1 with Ivory Coast in Capello's first match in charge on August 15. The draw was followed by four consecutive wins against Northern Ireland, Israel, Portugal and Azerbaijan in the 2014 World Cup qulifiers.
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