Russia hand debuts to seven players, draw with Kazakhstan

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:19 am

MOSCOW -- Fabio Capello's experimental Russia side, with seven uncapped players making their debuts, drew 0-0 with Kazakhstan in a friendly on Tuesday.

Capello rang the changes after just one win in Russia's last eight competitive matches, not including Friday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Montenegro, which was abandoned after crowd trouble.

Russia dominated against their less illustrious opponent Kazakhstan, but created few clear-cut chances.

The best opportunity to score came on 27 minutes, when Alexander Samedov's speculative shot from a free-kick bounced off the crossbar and post before Kazakhstan goalkeeper Stanislav Pokatilov snatched it off the line.

Kazakhstan threatened the Russian goal on occasional ventures forward, but both teams relied mainly on efforts from distance.

Russia's Ruslan Kambolov controls the ball against Kazakhstan.
VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty Images

Some of Capello's new players were not even regulars for their Russian club sides, such as CSKA Moscow's 19-year-old forward Dmitry Yefremov, handed his first cap as a late substitute.

The game in Moscow was a respite for Russia after Friday's hectic match in Montenegro. It was abandoned at 0-0 in the second half after both teams brawled and Russian players were struck by objects thrown from the crowd.

Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev required hospital treatment for minor injuries after being hit on the head by a flare.

UEFA has charged both Russia and Montenegro with various offenses.