Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane has warned Russia they can take nothing for granted as the race for Euro 2012 qualification approaches its climax.
Keane and his team-mates survived an onslaught at the Luzhniki Stadium on Tuesday evening to emerge with a 0-0 draw which kept them on the coat-tails of Dick Advocaat's men.
Keane said: "We still have a chance, we certainly have a chance. If you look at the teams they have to play now - Slovakia have to play Russia and Slovakia could easily get a result. This group is far from finished yet, I'll tell you that now."
The Russians must now travel to Zilina to face a Slovakia side which, although surprisingly beaten 4-0 at home by Armenia in their last outing, won in Moscow last September.
A repeat of that result would throw Group B wide open and mean a return of six points from their final two games - away to Andorra and at home to Armenia - could see Ireland snatch automatic qualification, or at least a play-off place.
The Republic managed only two points from their double-header against Slovakia and Russia when they had targeted a minimum of four. But if a 0-0 draw with Slovakia at the Aviva Stadium last Friday night was a disappointment, the same result in Moscow was greeted as a triumph.
Russia launched an all-out 90-minute assault and but for the stubbornness of keeper Shay Given and central defender Richard Dunne in particular, Ireland could have lost and lost heavily.
Keane said: "The two of them were superb. In the last decade or so, they have been brilliant, but last night, they just showed how important they are to the team."
Substitute Stephen Hunt, who played the final 23 frantic minutes after replacing Damien Duff, was in awe of Dunne's display.
He said: "Richard Dunne was ridiculous. At stages, he was blocking everything and it was one man against the rest of them. If ever a man deserves to qualify, then it would be him, for sure, and hopefully we can do it."
Source: PA
