Kokorin nets brace in comfortable Russia win

A double by Dynamo Moscow forward Alexander Kokorin helped Russia to a 4-1 win against Luxembourg in their 2014 World Cup qualifier in Kazan on Friday. The result left Fabio Capello's side with 15 points from seven games in European qualifying Group F and put them a point clear at the top of the section before second-placed Portugal faced Northern Ireland in Belfast later on Friday. "We were deserved winners," said Kokorin, 22, who rejoined Dynamo from Anzhi Makhachkala last month, only weeks after moving in the opposite direction. "An early goal helped us a lot and the result gives us confidence ahead of the match with Israel, which we desperately need to win." Russia face third-placed Israel in St Petersburg next Tuesday, and coach Capello will be hoping they avoid the kind of losses in concentration there that allowed Luxembourg to get their goal. "We scored in the first minute, which was a real positive for us," said the Italian. "Luxembourg are a well-organised team with physically strong players. We lost concentration at the very end allowing Luxembourg to score, but it was our only serious mistake in the match." The match in Kazan kicked-off an hour late due to heavy rain, but when it did finally get underway the hosts got off to a flying start. Just 20 seconds had been played when they took the lead, Kokorin lobbing the ball into the net over Luxembourg 'keeper Jonathan Joubert from the edge of the penalty box. The hosts dominated but had to wait until the 36th minite to double their advantage, Kokorin again on target, this time with a header from a Dmitry Kombarov free-kick. Zenit striker Alexander Kerzhakov headed in Russia's third goal just before the hour mark and Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder Alexander Samedov added the fourth goal at the death. In between, the visitors grabbed a consolation courtesy of captain Aurelien Joachim, but this was their seventh straight defeat in the qualifying campaign and they prop up the group. Source: AFP