Dzagoev’s double confirms his arrivalonthebig stage
Russia’s two-goal hero against Czechs could be tournament star
Russian emerging hope Alan Dzagoev’s two goals in a 4-1 romp over the Czech Republic lit the touch paper for a thrilling Euro 2012, and suggested the 21-year-old from the furthest fringes of the Old Continent could be this year’s star turn.
Dzagoev, of CSKA Moscow, exploded onto the scene with his double strike — though he had already carved out a reputation as a goalmaker, having originally made his debut as a precocious 16-year-old with second division Krylia Sovetov.
That alerted CSKA and by the time he was 17 he was laying on two goals and scoring one on his debut against Khimki before this season scoring against Inter Milan in the Champions League and showcasing his talents with several assists.
But at international level he is still at the start of the journey and themanwho hails fromthe town of Beslan, scene of a deadly hostage crisis in 2004, remainsmodest to a tee. “I don’t think about statistics — the important thing is to have won and the way we won. I am not euphoric — it is the team that counts.” He told Russian television after being named man of the match that “one should not exaggerate my achievements.”
Even so, he is now being touted as a symbol of the flowing football which the team’s Dutch coach Dick Advocaat wants to see— and with Andrei Arshavin and Aleksander Kerzhakov also sharing attacking responsibilities to great effect on Friday’s evidence.
An admirer of England and Chelsea veteran Frank Lampard, and made his debut in a World Cup qualifier against Germany in October 2008, becoming his country’s youngest ever outfield player at 18 and four months. Dzagoev almost missed out on the Euros party as he fractured a toe playing for CSKA in late March. “But I quickly got over it.”