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Pogrebnyak leading Russian charge
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Photo AFP
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The Russian national team gained plenty of admirers with
their excellent performances at UEFA EURO 2008 in Austria and Switzerland
last summer, where they reached the last four before bowing out 3-0 against
eventual winners Spain. Under the guidance of experienced Dutch coach
Guus Hiddink, the Sbornaja have grown into a side capable of going toe
to toe with the world's best.
Spearheaded by the lethal Pavel Pogrebnyak, Russia currently lie in second
place in Group 4 of European qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South
AfricaT behind group leaders and EURO 2008 runners-up Germany. Indeed,
the Mannschaft's 2-1 success in October in Dortmund was the Russians'
only defeat so far this campaign.
Bouncing back
Despite that setback, Hiddink's charges still have everything to play
for thanks to the six points gained from two important home wins against
Wales and Finland, which ended 2-1 and 3-0 respectively. All of which
makes the home match against Germany in October this year all the more
decisive.
"Things are looking up for us at the moment," said Pogrebnyak
in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com. "We would have liked to
have got all three points against Germany (in Dortmund) and it was Hiddink's
aim to get seven points from the first three games, but we have got six
points in the bag and we're not too far off the pace."
I think it will prove to be an advantage for all of us because at the
end of the day, our coach is working with one of the best clubs in the
world.
Pogrebnyak on Guus Hiddink's Chelsea role
On paper, the Russians should have two fairly straightforward games coming
up as they entertain Azerbaijan on 28 March before travelling to Liechtenstein
four days later. Both these teams have only managed a single point from
their opening three matches and would appear to be clear outsiders against
the team lying eighth in the current FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.
"Of course the quality of our upcoming opponents isn't the highest,
but we know all too well how difficult it can be to play against these
kinds of teams," warned the Zenit St. Petersburg striker. "We
shouldn't think too much about how strong or weak our opponents might
be, we just need to concentrate on beating them and making sure we gain
maximum points."
A big honour
The towering 25-year-old has been involved with the Russian national squad
for over two years and has already scored an impressive five goals in
12 appearances, statistics that would no doubt be higher had he not been
forced to sit out last year's European Championships with a knee injury.
"It's a great honour for me to pull on the national shirt and every
time I hear the national anthem, the hairs prick up on the back of my
neck," says the striker, who scored Zenit's equaliser in their 1-1
draw at Spartak Moscow at the weekend, on the first matchday of the 2009
Russian Premier League season. "Following my injury, it's important
for me to get back playing regularly and prove myself once again."
Meanwhile, Hiddink, the man who first called Pogrebnyak up for international
duty, has recently taken over the helm at English heavyweights Chelsea
in addition to his role as head coach of Russia. This set-up is not entirely
new to the Dutchman, who just three years ago handled the fortunes of
PSV Eindhoven while also leading Australia's Socceroos to Germany 2006.
In spite of the increased workload, Pogrebnyak sees his coach's dual role
in a positive light: "Everyone in the national team is happy for
him. I think it will prove to be an advantage for all of us because at
the end of the day, our coach is working with one of the best clubs in
the world.
"I am under contract at Zenit, but I really like the style of football
played in England and so I would love to play there one day, especially
seeing as I was a Manchester United fan for many years," added the
Moscow-born hitman. And if he stays injury-free and keeps banging in the
goals, who would back against Pogrebnyak joining former Zenit team-mate
Andrei Arshavin on English shores in the not-too-distant future?
FIFA.com,
16 March 2009
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