But Russia regained their composure and Gabbidon did well to throw himself in front of an Arshavin shot as the midfielder ghosted into position.

BBC: Wales 1-3 Russia

Kingson, starting ahead of Maik Taylor, went some way to redeeming himself when he did well to quickly come out and put Benjani off after a free-kick cannoned into the Pompey striker's path.

BBC: Birmingham 0-2 Portsmouth

Excerpt: Hancock held himself back, did not know Couch well, but there was something in the man, something quiet and dark and dangerous, something he had begun to see in a few of the others, had seen it now in himself, that nameless thing: Men who advanced with their troops and did not hear the muskets and stepped over their dead without looking down.

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