Confederations Cup begins with colourful opening ceremony

World champions Germany and the champions from FIFA's six confederations, including Australia, are competing in the two-week tournament that will allow Russian Federation to test its football infrastructure in four of the 11 cities hosting World Cup matches.

But New Zealand's resistence was eventually broken 20 minutes from the end, when Fedor Smolov tapped in Alexander Samedov's low cross from the right to put the result beyond doubt and give Russian Federation an ideal start to the tournament.

Russia's Denis Glushakov, top, chips the ball over New Zealand goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic to score the opening goal during the Confederations, Cup Group A soccer match between Russian Federation and New Zealand, at the St.Petersburg st.

New Zealand never put Russian Federation under serious threat, with the hosts producing a convincing 2-0 victory in St. Petersburg.

The Confederations Cup precedes the World Cup by a year to guarantee that the facilities and provisions of the host country are ready.

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the first match of the Confederations Cup tomorrow.

On June 22, Cameroon will play against Australia in St. Petersburg, and Chile will face Germany in Kazan.

Putin even got to meet Pele at half time.

After having two early chances cleared off the line, they took the lead when Michael Boxall scored an own goal after Denis Glushakov had struck the post.

Arriving by helicopter close to the stadium barely 20 minutes before kickoff, he was soon installed in the main grandstand making a speech to launch the tournament. "But we will be able to check whether we've done everything right only once we play in official matches".

Pizzi says the Chile staff is "optimistic from the images we've seen, but we understand and know that the player still feels pain, and that's why we'll wait until tomorrow to decide if he plays". Find us on Facebook too!

Russia's coach suggested it was an advantage to have such a pep talk.

"When the president of our country comes out to make a speech it mobilises us and gives us great motivation, but it also adds to our responsibilities", Cherchesov told reporters.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo went into the day's first match with plenty of attention on his future, after reports that he wanted to leave Real Madrid after being charged with tax fraud.

Chile left it late to edge out a dogged Cameroon in an opening Group B clash that saw striker Eduardo Vargas have goals both ruled out and given by the video assistant.