Switzerland, May 30: Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev made a successful comeback to international football ahead of the European Championship in an uninspired 0-0 draw against Lithuania in a friendly on Tuesday.
Akinfeev made his 51st appearance for Russia after damaging the cruciate ligament in his left knee last August. He returned to play for CSKA Moscow last month.
The 26-year-old ‘keeper pressed his claim for selection at Euro 2012 by twice saving bravely at the feet of Darvydas Sernas.
“He did his job, what he did today. No problems,” Russia coach Dick Advocaat said.
Advocaat has said he will choose between Akinfeev and Zenit St. Petersburg ‘keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev on the eve of the June 8 opener against the Czech Republic.
Russia's Euro 2012 group also includes co-host Poland and Greece.
Advocaat downplayed the importance of Tuesday's game, ahead of a final warm-up match against Italy on Friday in Zurich
“I see this game as more of a good training exercise,” said Advocaat, praising his side's physical effort. “Not the way we played, let's be clear about that.”
Akinfeev endured a hectic start on his return to national duty.
In the second minute he was saved by his own crossbar, after being beaten by the pace of a shot by Deividas Cesnauskis.
When Lithuania quickly forced a corner, Akinfeev flung himself into the path of Sernas' powerfully driven shot.
The opening flurry of action included Lithuania goalkeeper Ernestas Setkus tipping a misdirected looping clearance against the crossbar after 35 seconds.
It was out of step with the rest of a forgettable match.
Russia created little, though captain Andrei Arshavin went close with an angled volley and Aleksandr Kerzhakov fired a shot against a post when a through pass forced him wide.
The tempo barely lifted in the second half, and Lithuania wasted a clear chance when substitute Ramunas Radavicius ran clear on goal but fired his shot too high.
Akinfeev pulled off a double save in the 76th, when he parried a 30-yard (meter) free kick from Radavicius then smothered the rebound shot by Sernas.
