Russia 0 Republic Of Ireland 0
Keeper Emma Byrne was the hero as the Republic of Ireland's women kept their faint hopes of World Cup qualification alive.
Ireland skipper Byrne produced important saves at the end of either half as Ireland battled their way to a 0-0 draw with Russia in Krasnoarmeysk.
Russia had beaten Ireland 3-1 in Tallaght earlier in the campaign, scoring two goals within the first 10 minutes, but were frustrated on this occasion.
The visitors' best chance fell to Fiona O'Sullivan on the stroke of half-time, but she was denied by Russia keeper Elvira Todua, and Ireland had to defend resiliently all the way to the whistle to claim a well-earned point.
Ireland remain five points adrift of their second-placed opponents in Group 1 with three games each to play. Runaway leaders Germany have already booked their place at next summer’s finals in Canada but Ireland can still qualify if remaining results go their way.
Republic of Ireland: Emma Byrne; Aine O'Gorman, Louise Quinn, Niamh Fahey, Karen Duggan; Dora Gorman, Diane Caldwell; Julie-Ann Russell, Denise O'Sullivan, Stephanie Roche (Ruesha Littlejohn 69); Fiona O'Sullivan (Siobhan Killeen 89).
Russia: Elvira Todua; Ekaterina Dmitrenko, Ksenia Tsybutovich, Daria Makarenko, Elena Medved; Alla Sidorovskaya, Olga Petrova; Elena Tereknova (Alena Andreeva 77), Neilli Korovkina, Ekaterina Sochneva; Ekaterina Pantyukhina (Anna Cholovyaga 53).
Referee: Teodora Albon (Romania).
