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Friendlies round-up

Image: Advocaat: Winning start

Dick Advocaat got off to the perfect start as Russia's coach on Wednesday as his side edged out Bulgaria.

Shirokov strike slays Bulgaria

Dick Advocaat got off to the perfect start as Russia's coach on Wednesday as his side edged out Bulgaria. A contest between two sides who failed to reach this summer's World Cup was settled by a solitary strike from Roman Shirokov. The versatile Zenit St Petersburg ace crashed home an acrobatic volley after just six minutes, after Bulgarian keeper Nikolai Mikhailov fumbled an Andrey Arshavin cross. Dutch coach Advoccat, who has replaced his fellow countryman Guus Hiddink at the Russian helm, will be hoping to maintain his 100 per cent record when the Euro 2012 qualifiers get underway in September. Manchester City midfielder Vincent Kompany endured a night to forget as Belgium went down 1-0 in Finland. The Blues ace put through his own net after 13 minutes and was unable to help his side find an equaliser. Czech Republic enjoyed a profitable night on home soil as they crushed Latvia 4-1. West Brom frontman Roman Bednar opened the scoring four minutes into the second half and Martin Fenin added a second five minutes later. Two quick-fire goals from Zdenek Pospech (74) and Tomas Necid (77) wrapped things up, before Aleksandrs Cauna grabbed a consolation for the visitors in stoppage-time. Turkey were also victorious on Wednesday night, seeing off Romania 2-0. Former Newcastle midfielder Emre broke the deadlock from the penalty spot on 82 minutes and Arda Turan ended any hope of a Romanian comeback when he notched with four minutes remaining. Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria and Switzerland went head-to-head in midweek, and it was the Swiss who came out on top. A solitary strike from Moreno Costanzo 17 minutes from time was enough to see Ottmar Hitzfeld's side home. The winners of the 2004 European Championships Greece saw off Serbia 1-0. Dimitris Salpingidis' effort on the stroke of half-time separated the two teams at the end. There was nothing to split Slovakia and Croatia, though, as they played out a 1-1 draw. Mirsolav Stoch opened the scoring on 50 minutes, but Rangers target Nikica Jelavic restored parity four minutes later. Samuel Eto'o bagged a brace as Cameroon made light work of Poland. The Inter Milan striker put the Indomitable Lions in complete control with goals on 30 and 52 minutes. Vincent Aboubakar then put the seal on a comprehensive 3-0 win four minutes from time. Australia's woes continued, following a miserable showing at the 2010 World Cup, as they crashed to a 2-0 defeat against Slovenia. Goals from Zlatko Dedic (78) and Zlatan Ljubijankic (90) put the Socceroos to the sword. South Africa's ongoing development continued as Katlego Mphela, who struck shortly before the interval, saw them to a 1-0 win over Ghana.

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