* Klose grabs 50th goal for Germany
* Visitors book ticket to South Africa
* Late Russian penalty appeal turned down
(add quotes, details)
By Gennady Fyodorov
MOSCOW, Oct 10 - Miroslav Klose's first-half
strike sent 10-man Germany to next year's World Cup after a 1-0
win over Russia in their Group Four qualifier on Saturday.
The forward capitalised on a defensive mix-up and fired into
an empty net in the 35th minute to put his team ahead after a
clever pass by Mesut Ozil left Russia goalkeeper Igor Akenfeyev
off his line. It was Klose's 50th goal for Germany.
Germany, who have 25 points from nine games, will finish top
of the group with second-placed Russia, on 21 points, still able
to join them in next year's finals with a win in the playoffs.
"I was sure all week the team would be focused and would
play to win," said Germany coach Joachim Loew. "No team in the
world can play for a draw, and that certainly includes us.
"We said before the match we had one hand on the ticket to
South Africa and we'd be able to book our ticket ourselves. I
think tonight they'll be allowed to celebrate a bit."
The home side, urged on by a partisan 80,000 capacity crowd,
dominated much of the first half with Vladimir Bystrov and
Alexander Kerzhakov coming close before the visitors sored.
FINE SAVES
They also had chances after the break but goalkeeper Rene
Adler made several fine saves to deny Russia captain Andrei
Arshavin twice, Bystrov and Igor Semshov.
"Adler showed a lot of calm back there and incredible
reflexes," said Loew. He made a very good impression all in all.
I'd pay him a big compliment for this performance."
Russia coach Guus Hiddink sent on Roman Pavlyuchenko, who
scored both goals in a 2-1 win over England in a Euro 2008
qualifier on the same Luzhniki pitch two years ago, and fellow
striker Pavel Pogrebnyak after the break.
The hosts had a strong case for a penalty late in the game
when Germany captain Michael Ballack appeared to foul Arshavin
but Swiss referee Massimo Busacca waved play on.
Despite the pressure the Germans, who had defender Jerome
Boateng sent off for a second yellow card in the 69th minute,
held on to secure a ticket to South Africa.
"Of course I'm disappointed with the result tonight but this
team showed great character especially in the second half,"
Hiddink told a news conference.
"We missed several good chances in the second half and I
think a foul on Arshavin was 100 percent a penalty.
"We knew Germany are a strong opponent," he added. "But we
still put in a good performance. We didn't take advantage of the
chance and now we'll have to win the playoff in November."
(Reporting by Gennady Fyodorov; Editing by Ken Ferris
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