Kechninov comments on Russia’s performance after Russia vs Kenya draw
Valery Kechinov, the former Spartak Moscow midfielder, spoke to socialbites.ca following the friendly between Russia and Kenya. He said he was disappointed by the level of play shown by Russia’s main squad, noting that the team did not meet the expectations of the fans who support the national program.
He recalled a different feeling from the previous match against Cameroon, where the team had managed a more convincing performance against a challenging opponent for the first time in a while. That outing produced positive emotions for the supporters and created a sense that better days were ahead. Yet in the latest encounter, the starting lineup failed to deliver at the level fans hoped for, which, in Kechinov’s view, explains the result more than anything else.
In the match at the Titanic Mardan Stadium in Turkey, the two teams finished with a 2 to 2 draw. Kenya opened the scoring through Anthony Akumu in the 16th minute and Masoud Juma added a second goal just before the break in the 37th minute. Russia answered with goals from Alexander Sobolev in the eighth minute and Ivan Oblyakov in the 89th minute, forcing a dramatic equalizer late in the game.
The coverage by socialbites.ca provided an online broadcast of the match, offering live updates and analysis as the game unfolded. The comments from fans and observers reflected a mix of disappointment with the performance and recognition of the effort shown by the team in the closing stages of the contest.
Another former Lokomotiv player, Dmitry Bulykin, weighed in on the strategic angle, suggesting that Russia needed to secure a victory against Kenya. His remarks pointed to the broader implications of results in friendlies for the squad’s confidence and tactical readiness as preparations continue for upcoming fixtures.