THERE were mixed fortunes for two Merseyside-based players in last night’s World Cup qualifying play-offs.
Defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos became the latest Liverpool player to guarantee himself a hectic summer after Greece beat Ukraine to qualify for the World Cup.
With the tie all square after a goalless first leg in Athens, Greece secured their place in South Africa with a 1-0 win in Donetsk thanks to Dimitris Salpigidis’ strike.
As it stands, Rafael Benitez could have as many as 17 members of his current first team squad involved in a tournament that is not scheduled to finish until July 11.
However, there was heartbreak for Everton’s Diniyar Bilyaletdinov as Russia crashed out on the away goals rule following a 1-0 reversal in Slovenia with Zlatko Dedic netting.
Guus Hiddink’s side had won Saturday’s first leg in Moscow 2-1 thanks to a brace from the Everton midfielder.
Russia had Alexander Kerzhakov dismissed after 66 minutes following a lunge on keeper Samir Handanovic while Yuri Zhirkov saw red in stoppage time.
Jose Raul Meireles scored as Portugal defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 in Zenica for a 2-0 aggregate win.
Meanwhile, Antar Yahia’s spectacular goal earned Algeria the final African qualifying spot in next summer’s World Cup finals in South Africa as they defeated Egypt 1-0.
