Russia celebrate a goal against Andorra (@Getty
Images)
Guus Hiddink thinks a point against Croatia would be "a
good result" for Russia while striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov is hungry
for goals in Zagreb.
Sensible ambition
Third in Group E, two points adrift of leaders Croatia, Russia travel
to the Maksimir Stadium tonight knowing a positive result would put them
in pole position to qualify for next year's final tournament in Austria
and Switzerland. While fans may be yearning for a dramatic victory, Dutch
coach Hiddink feels a draw to match the one Croatia earned in Moscow in
September would be good enough. "A draw away against Croatia would
be a good result," said Hiddink. "However, that is not to suggest
we will go there to play for a draw - that is not in the character of
the new Russia side."
Same formation
Fresh from a 4-0 win against Andorra in St Petersburg, Russia have taken
14 points from six qualifying games, but have yet to face the toughest
tests in the section. Andorra and Croatia are hardly comparable opposition,
but Hiddink is likely to stick with the 3-5-2 formation that he deployed
against the Principality side, with Kerzhakov in a leading role. After
scoring a hat-trick against Andorra, the Sevilla FC star is in stirring
form, although he said: "I don't want to overestimate the win against
Andorra or my three goals. Everybody in the team is smart and they understand
what this victory was and how much the game in Zagreb will mean. It will
be tens of times more difficult against Croatia but really I want to score
against them."
Lively substitutes
Concerns over the fitness of in-form Diniyar Bilyaletdinov may force Hiddink's
hand over team selection. FC Lokomotiv Moskva's midfield engine is nursing
a thigh injury but may yet displace Dmitri Torbinskiy. Viktor Budyanski
could be in line for another appearance after impressing as a substitute
against Andorra along with Aleksandr Anyukov and Dmitri Sychev. If fans
are still wondering how Russia will perform against Croatia, then so is
the coach. Hiddink said: "This game [against Andorra] did not give
us much of an idea about our chances in this European quest but the next
match against Croatia will tell us a lot. Even I am wondering how we are
going to play. It will be a real test for this young Russian side."
