Extra Time Needed for Hosts to Overcome Guinea (GFWC Round of 16 Match 50)

A Chapter by Steve Clark

The following articles highlight the process of Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and their demise from the governance of international football and the rise of Global Futbol.

June 30th, 2018 (GFWC Round of 16 Match 50)

Extra Time Needed for Hosts to Overcome Guinea

Russia 5-4 (et) Guinea

Russia needed extra time to see off a remarkable Guinea side, with both sides posting nine goals combined in 120 minutes.

Having not met recently in the Global Futbol Men’s competitions, Russia and Guinea could only decipher their tactics based on analysing the group matches. Both coaches decided to keep their formation, with minor adjustments to personnel. Guinea sought to mark the Russian strikers early and press up high, however, this truly opened the game for Russia to counterattack in the first half after Guinea scored two early goals.

The first came in the 9^thminute as Guinea attacked down the right wing, with Ibrahima Bangoura running into space behind Russia’s Zhirkov and Granat. This opened up a chance for the Guinean right midfielder to cut back and find Doumbouya without a marker in front of goal, and Guinea had their first goal, quieting the home crowd ever so slightly.

The second came from Ibrahima Bangoura, once again getting behind the Russian defence and scoring with a powerful touch after toying with Akinfeev over which side he would shoot.

Russia worked their way back into control and caught Guinea’s defence lacking in structure with a Samedov assist to Gazinskiy, who outturned Issiaga Sylla and slotted his first.

However, Ibrahima Bangoura’s dominance down the right created a third goal for Guinea, assisting Mohamed Yattara with a soft knick into the net as he slid in front of Smolnikov.

Russia, on the other hand, grasped a little momentum with a late first-half goal by Dzyuba who turned the ball around Fodé Camara and shot in the opposite corner. At 3-2, Guinea felt they had the advantage, but Russia had made the most of their opportunities.

Guinea’s defence remained solid for 25 minutes of the second half as Russia peppered to level the score. The host nation hit the crossbar from a header, and goalkeeper Naby-Moussa Yattara saved two shots moments later, the latter from Zhirkov who dribbled up from left back. Meanwhile, Russia’s defensive marking improved in the half, only allowing Guinea one golden opportunity to score, only to see the ball miss to the left.

In the 70^thminute, Russian coach Stanislav Cherchesov made his first substitution, taking off a more defensive Golovin for an attacking-styled Zobnin. This proved a success, as Zobnin’s through ball helped Samedov score Russia’s third.

Dzyuba then created a chance and shot, only for Naby-Moussa Yattara to parry it away. Dzyuba kept up the pressure and won the ball back. He passed to Gazinskiy, and with his second goal, the Russians had taken the lead.

At this point, Russia should have restructured their defence to keep their lead. However, Guinea gave all they could in reply. Two more Guinea shots came close, one missing and the other needing Akinfeev’s firm save. Then, two minutes from full time, Idrissa Sylla outmuscled Cheryshev in the box. He turned and hit, only for Akinfeev to save it. Sylla saw it bobble out, and he pounced immediately, scoring with his left. The game would need a winner in extra time.

That goal came five minutes into extra time with Man of the Match Gazinskiy eyeing a hat-trick. He received the ball in the 18-yard box after a failed defensive clearance and slipped the ball past Yattara into the post. As the ball reentered play, Gazinskiy slid his right leg through Fodé Camara’s legs and touched the ball first. It dribbled into the open goal and Russia knew they would be progressing to the Quarter Finals.

Idrissa Sylla tried to get the goal back, but was caught offside in what would have resulted in a fair chance at scoring. As Russia defended like their lives depended on it, the Guineans saw time run out and were thus eliminated.

The last African side can certainly hold their heads up in confidence, as they took the hosts all the way. Only a couple of defensive errors were the difference. What is remarkable was the substitution of Ibrahima Bangoura after the hour mark. Alhassane Bangoura could not replicate what the right midfielder did in the first half, dominating that side of the pitch and preventing the likes of Zhirkov and Cheryshev from having a decisive impact on the game. Perhaps he was exhausted after his first half brilliance.

Russia know now they have the goods to go the distance in this World Cup. They now look to the game against Belgium.