Russia Finds Firmer Footing, 5-0
After succumbing to jitters in their World Cup debut Sunday, the members of the Russian women’s World Cup team rediscovered their composure Wednesday against Japan and made history, scoring four times in the second half for a 5-0 rout at Civic Stadium and the country’s first tournament triumph.
“The opening match was against Norway, the reigning champion. We were kind of tense,” said Russian captain Irina Grigorieva, who had three clever and unselfish assists Wednesday and could easily have scored as many times. “But that was just the opening match. We managed to overcome that, especially in the second half today, when we managed to play some attacking football.”
Olga Letuchkova scored in the 52nd and 90th minutes as Russia (1-1) moved into good position to advance to the quarterfinals out of Group C. Russia had lost its tournament debut, 2-1, but Coach Yurii Bystritzkii called it “an honorable result.” His team’s effort Wednesday was honorable and entertaining for the lively Civic Stadium crowd of 17,668, a performance that grew stronger from about the 30-minute mark after Japan (0-1-1) began to wilt under the force of Russia’s physical play.
“This was a good experience for us,” Bystritzkii said. “This is a young team and people were not informed about this team, especially in the American press. But our team is gaining momentum, and this was our number one goal, fielding this team, to qualify for the quarterfinals.”
Forward Larissa Savina scored Russia’s first goal, in the 29th minute, on a counterattack. Grigorieva, a former field hockey player who was transformed into a soccer midfielder 10 years ago, set up the goal with a beautiful through ball to Savina, who booted it into the lower-right corner of the net.
That was merely a hint of what was to come. “I think the inspiration was the first goal,” said Letuchkova, who made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute by side-footing a pass from Grigorieva by the right post. “We were ready to play in the second half.”
Natalia Karasseva stole the ball from Japan’s Mito Saka and rocketed a shot that was deflected by goalkeeper Nozomi Yamago but found the back of the net, in the 58th minute, essentially sealing the Japanese team’s fate. Substitute Natalia Barbachina scored in the 80th minute, completing a deft passing play with Letuchkova, and Grigorieva passed up an empty net to pass to Letuchkova for an easy tap-in for the final goal.
“Japan was not playing as much of a pressing game as Norway, for example,” said Grigorieva, who is a stocky 5 feet 4 and stands out on a team that boasts 10 players taller than 5-8. “That made our life sort of easier.”
Said Japan Coach Satoshi Miyauchi: “It appeared Russia was a little stronger. It’s something the Japanese team will definitely have to work on.”
Russia can advance to the next round with a victory over Canada Saturday. But first, Bystritzkii wanted to savor Wednesday’s achievement. “This will stay in the annals, this result,” he said.
