Kerzhakov saves Russia\\\'s blushes

Russia’s Alexander Kerzhakov (Jersey No 11) scored a goal to salvage a 1-1 draw against South Korea in a 2014 World Cup Group H football match at Pantanal arena in Cuiaba, Brazil, on Tuesday. The veteran striker scored 3 minutes after coming on as a substitute to rescue the Russian. The 31-year-old, sole surviving member of Russia’s last World Cup team in the 2002 finals in Asia, swivelled and struck from inside the 6-yard box in the 74th minute after fellow substitute Alan Dzagoev’s shot was parried by goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong. The South Koreans had taken the lead 6 minutes earlier when a blunder by goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev handed substitute Lee Keun-ho a shock opening goal. The 2012 Asian Footballer of the Year unleashed a stinging shot from outside the box that the seasoned Akinfeev appeared to have under control but he let it slip from his grasp and over his shoulder into the net, according to Reuters.