Before this match, FIFA World Federation President Gianni Infantino and Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a speech to celebrate the opening of the Confed Cup 2017.
In the 7th minute of this match, the Russian Open had the first dangerous opportunity when Vasin flew a wheelie to bring the ball to the post along the away team. Immediately after that, midfielder McGlinchey cleared the ball right on the goal line to save New Zealand.
After many unsuccessful shots, the opening goal also came for the home team in the 31st minute. Glushakov rushed down to face goalkeeper Marinovic, making a one-touch shot that sent the ball up the post and fly into the New Zealand Open. This was also the only goal in the first half.
The Russian team accelerated the game early in the second half. However, the shots of the red shirt strikers could not easily defeat goalkeeper Marinovic. If it were not for the goalkeeper's talent, the New Zealand team would have conceded a second goal early.
However, whatever comes. In the 69th minute, from a cross from the right wing of the pair, Smolov had a close-range kick in a position that was not marked by any white player.
The Russian team continued to maintain the superior position in the remainder of the match but they could not help the fans have another celebration. On the other side of the pitch, the New Zealand team, despite their efforts, did not score an honorary goal. 2/8 of their shots on target could not be converted into goals.
The first three points are a good package for the Russian team to aim to pass the group stage while the New Zealand team will need to improve many more things in the remaining 2 matches of Group A.
The first round of Group A still has the match between the Portuguese Open and the Spanish Open on the Kazan Arena Stadium at 10:00 p.m. on June 18, Vietnam time. Along with that, Group B will open with a confrontation between Cameroon Stadium and Chile Stadium at 1:00 a.m. on June 19, Vietnam time on Spartak Stadium in Moscow.
