Football: Karpin boosts Russia's cause

VALERY KARPIN scored his second winning goal of the week as Russia beat Iceland 1-0 yesterday in a Euro 2000 qualifier in Moscow.

Iceland, previously unbeaten in 11 matches, thus went down to their first defeat in seven qualifying matches in Group Four. Russia dominated throughout but Iceland's defence looked strong and did not give the home team many chances. With only a minute left in the first half, though, Karpin met a cross from Yevgeny Varlamov on the left and headed in the winner.

Karpin, who plays for Celta Vigo in Spain, also scored the winner last Saturday as Russia defeated France 3-2 in Paris.

Despite a courageous display from Iceland's goalkeeper, Birkir Kristinsson, Russia claimed all three points and still have hopes of qualifying for the finals. In the same group, the leaders, Ukraine, were held to a surprising 0-0 draw against Armenia in Yerevan.

After a scoreless first half Ukraine dominated the game in the second period, but their two talented Dynamo Kiev strikers, Andriy Shevchenko and Serhiy Rebrov, who were both substituted late in the game, failed to find the target.

Two minutes after the break, Shevchenko, who is bound for the Italian champions Milan next season, found himself one-on-one with the Armenian goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky but fired into his hands.

Berezovsky also made a stunning save in the 65th minute, when a shot from Serhiy Konovalov from 25 yards looked bound for the net.

In Group Nine, Scotland's section, Estonia were beaten 2-1 at home in Tallinn by their Baltic rivals, Lithuania.

Andres Oper gave Estonia the lead in the 10th minute but Lithuania turned the game around with two goals in four minutes early in the second half, from Tomas Bahelis and Darius Maciulevicius.

n The Bayern Munich midfielder Jens Jeremies and the right-back Thomas Strunz did not complete training yesterday due to injuries and are doubtful for Saturday's German Cup final against Werder Bremen in Berlin.