Russia hold South Korea to draw

South Korea drew 1-1 with Russia on Tuesday in the final opening match at the 32-nation World Cup. It was substitute striker Lee Keun-ho who put the Asian side on the board first, but Russia's Alexandr Kerzhakov responded just six minutes later.

Fabio Capello's Russia side didn't have a reputation for playing beautiful football heading into the match, and their performance on Tuesday in Cuiaba did little to change that. But efficient, if hardly appealing, football saw the Russians earn a point that keeps their hopes alive in the tournament.

The South Koreans attack was energized by Bayer Leverkusen winger Son Heung-min, who was one of the few offensive sparks in an otherwise tame opening 45 minutes. Only one shot managed to find its target in the first half - a long-range free kick from Russian defender Sergei Ignashevich.

The deadlock was finally broken when Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev fumbled substitute Lee Keun-ho's shot in the 68th minute. Racing towards the top of the area, Lee waited for his moment and fired a shot straight at Akinfeev, who uncharacteristically let the shot slip through his hands and softly fall into the back of the net.

It may have been an unjust way to concede, but it was a deserved advantage for the South Koreans, who had controlled what became a much more exciting match after the break.

But the Russians did well to respond just six minutes later. It was another substitute, Alexsandr Kerzhakov, who equalized. After goalkeeper Jung Syong-ryong was unable to hold onto a shot from his right, Kerzhakov pounced on the rebound, hammering home from close range.

The two goals spelled the end of the attacking excitement, however. Neither side came close to grabbing another for the remainder of the match and it finished level.

The result gives the sides a point apiece in Group H. Belgium lead the group after their 2-1 victory over Algeria earlier in the day.