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MOSCOW: An injury-time goal by local hero Magomed Ozdoev gave 2018 World Cup hosts Russia a 1-0 win over Romania in a historic friendly in Chechen capital Grozny on Tuesday.
The volatile Caucasian region, where Moscow fought two brutal conflicts against separatists two decades ago, played host to the national team for the very first time at the modern Akhmat Arena home of Premier League side Terek Grozny. It was Russia’s second win in five matches since Stanislav Cherchesov took over as coach in August, the other coming against Ghana in September.
Cherchesov was appointed after the country’s disastrous Euro 2016 campaign and faces a daunting task of rejuvenating the team for the World Cup on home soil, where he has set his men a target of reaching the semi-finals.
In front of a capacity crowd of 30,000, the hosts started brightly and only a good save by Costel Pantilimon of Watford prevented Alexander Samedov from opening the scoring.
Dinamo Bucharest midfielder Dorin Rotariu missed a fine chance for Romania before Samedov, of Lokomotiv Moscow, saw a well-struck free-kick flash just past the right post with the final chance of the first half.
The game looked to be heading towards a goalless conclusion when substitute Ozdoev, the Terek captain, struck in injury time, spinning to convert from close range after a Dmitry Poloz shot was deflected into his path in the six-yard box.