This was the curtain raiser to the Australia - Cameroon game but
later events made it seem more like the feature match. The skilful yet
underprepared Russians overcame their difficulties with a little help
from Jesper's favourite Bastard in Black. Yes Milton Nielsen was back and
I have to admit that I really don't see what Jesper is talking about but
it is remotely conceivable that he's had two good games in a row.
	It took only 6 minutes for the Ref to get involved after a Russian
was pushed in the back as he tried to head the ball. Unfortunately for the
Colombians this was inside the penalty box. Alexandr Karataiev was called
to take the penalty and he made no mistake. The Birdman was looking decidedly
ill and the Colombian supporters only had occasional oppertunity to chant
Co-lom-bia, Co-lom-bia. Dimitrii Ananko, who was roundly booed by the crowd
in the match against Australia (and with his first touch in this game), and
nicknamed Axl Rose by some parts of the crowd for his hair, got Russia's 
second after just 19 minutes. Again Mr Nielsen had a hand in the goal when
he awarded an IFK for too many steps by the goalkeeper. I was sorry that
the Colombian coach was on the other side of halfway and obscured by media
and officials, otherwise his reaction would have been quite funny to watch.
The kick, to the left of the box, was tapped right to Ananko who launched
the ball into the top of the Colombian net and threatened to keep going.
	The remainder of the half saw the Russians take a back seat approach
and basically said 'Come and get us' to the Colombians. It took until the
second half but the Colombians took them up on the offer and again the Referee
was the provider. A penalty for bringing down the man was taken by Arley
Betancourth in the 64th minute. This was all the incentive needed by the
Russians to switch into top gear once more, well that and the behaviour of
their coach which looked homicidal and I swear I heard him say Siberia.
	It didn't come easily but in the 87th minute, after a good exchange
between both teams giving rise to scoring oppertunities, the Russians sealed
it. Alexei Savchenko, who had to wear one of Karataiev's spare shirts after
Alexei arrived as a late replacement from Russia, showed speed and accuracy
to put the ball past Daniel Velez. Again it was Zambrano who showed he is the
main man in this team with great runs, skilful ball control and evasive
skills. Still the Colombians were no match for the more determined Russians,
and their hopes of a quarter final spot faded accordingly.
	Just after the second substitution made by Russia their keeper was
injured and taken off. The keeper had played well and made some great saves
from the Colombian forwards, but I have no news on how he is now and whether
later matches will be in doubt for him. I think it was Magomedov whom
they put in goal. I must say that Russia vs Ghana sounds like an interesting
match up.

	Russia 3 (A Karataiev pk 6) - Colombia 1 (A Betancourth 64)
		 (D Ananko 19)
		 (A Savchenko 87)