


But Kerzhakov bailed his teammate out, turning in a shot from close range in the 74th -- three minutes after coming on as a substitute -- to rescue a point for Russia in a poor-quality match.



A point leaves both teams behind Belgium, which beat Algeria 2-1 earlier Tuesday, but the group appears wide open based on the opening two fixtures.



Defensively, they weren't too bad against Russia but there was no hiding their toothless attack going forward, with the experienced Park Chu-young starting as the lone striker but justifying fears that he has lost his way after three ineffective years with Arsenal in the English Premier League. He was substituted in the 56th.

Russia, led by former England coach Fabio Capello, was just as lifeless in attack -- at least until Kerzhakov and Alan Dzagoev came off the bench -- and a dire first half was marked by the large contingent of Brazilian fans in the crowd doing slow hand clapping.



However, South Korea couldn't hold on and when Dzagoev's cross-shot was spilled out by goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong and Hwang Seok-ho's clearance went straight at Andrei Yeshchenko, Kerzhakov was on hand to bundle home from inside the six-yard box.