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KOBE, Japan (Ticker) -- Yegor Titov netted the opener as Russia kicked off its World Cup run with a 2-0 victory over Tunisia and moved atop Group H. Titov almost broke the scoreless deadlock in the final seconds of the first half with a one-timer that went just wide of the left post. But he pounced on a defensive error in the 59th minute, cracking a shot from just outside of the penalty area. Valery Karpin converted a penalty kick just four minutes later after Tunisian defender Radhi Jaidi obstructed substitute Dmitry Sychov in the box. "We cannot allow our opponents to create so many chances. And we created chances ourselves, but did not finish them off," Russia coach Oleg Romantsev said. "So we have work to do in both penalty areas." Karpin was perhaps Russia's best player. The 33-year-old midfielder had a powerful free kick turned aside and also set up Titov's first-half opportunity. Tunisia came closest to scoring in the 21st minute, when Hassen Gabsi pressured Yuri Kovtun and Yury Nikiforov into a defensive mixup that nearly led to an own-goal. "It's true that we held out well for an hour," Tunisia coach Ammar Souayah said. "But we conceded two quick goals against a very strong and experienced Russian team and it was difficult for us to come back. "Many neutral observers consider us the weakest team in the group, but we have to recover our spirits and prepare for the next game (against Belgium). It's going to be the determining game for us." Russia missed playmaker Alexandr Mostovoi, who was sidelined with a hamstring problem. Competing in its first major international competition in six years, Russia improved to 2-0 all-time against Tunisia. Playing as the Soviet Union, Russia also defeated the African nation in 1977. |
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