Russia 1 FYR Macedonia 0IGOR SEMSHOV'S goal helped Russia beat Macedonia 1-0 in Moscow yesterday to spoil John Toshack's debut as coach of the Balkan country.
Semshov put the home side ahead with their first shot on goal four minutes before the break following a fine solo run through the defence by captain Andrei Arshavin.
The scorer wasted two early chances but made amends when his low drive from the edge of the box deflected off a Macedonian defender and wrong-footed goalkeeper Martin Bogatinov.
The win put Russia on top of Group B with 16 points from seven matches.
Macedonia, who have no chance of qualifying, remain second from bottom on four points.
The visitors suffered a further blow after the final whistle when captain Goran Pandev, who was cautioned earlier, was shown a red card for arguing with the referee.
Former Wales and Real Madrid manager Toshack was named coach last month, taking over from Mirsad Jonuz who was sacked in June after a string of poor results.
RUSSIA: Malafeev, Aniukov, Vasili Berezutsky, Alexei Berezutsky, Zhirkov, Semshov, Denisov, Shirokov, Zyryanov, Kerzhakov, Arshavin. Subs: Shunin, Pogrebniak, Torbinsky, Pavlyuchenko, Glushakov, Shishkin, Dzagoev.
FYR MACEDONIA: Bogatinov, Sikov, Popov, Noveski, Trickovski, Sumulikoski, Demiri, Pandev, Ibraimi, Georgievski, Ivanovski. Subs: Pacovski, Mitreski, Muarem, Trajkovski, Mojsov, Hasani, Petrov.
Referee: B Yildirim (Turkey)
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