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Russia v Slovenia: match preview
Read a full match preview of the World Cup qualifying
play-off first leg game between Russia and Slovenia at Luzhniki Stadium
in Moscow on Saturday Nov 14, 2009, kick-off 4pm (GMT).
By Steve Wilson and John Ley
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Final countdown: Andrei Arshavin's Russia
must get past Slovenia in the World Cup play-offs to reach South
Africa. Photo: AP/GETTY IMAGES
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Russia v Slovenia
Kick-off: Sat Nov 14, 4pm (GMT); Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia
Team profiles
Russia
Fifa ranking: 12
Manager: Guus Hiddink (Holland, 63)
World Cup finals: 1994 (round 1), 2002 (round 1)
Star player: Andrei Arshavin
Chances: Russia behind Germany in the qualifiers, losing twice to them,
but Hiddink is a winner.
He led South Korea to the semi-finals, in 2002, and four years later took
Australia to the finals and in 2008 guided Russia to the semi-finals of
the European Championship finals.
Slovenia
Fifa ranking: 49
Manager: Matjaz Kek (Slovenia, 48)
World Cup finals 2002 (round 1)
Star player: Milivoje Novakovic
Chances: Slovenia are no strangers to a major finals, having qualified
for Euro 2000 and the World Cup finals two years later, after winning
their play-off against Romania, so they have some experience of such a
situation. Milivoje Novakovic, the Cologne striker, could pose a threat.
Touchline duel
Hidink has the enviable record of having guided every national team he
has ever coached to every major tournament they have competed for and
Russia go in to the tie as clear favourites. However, Kek has a virtually
full squad to pick from and has vowed his team will not be intimidated
by either the opponents or the occasion.
Talking tactics
Slovenia boast one of the best defensive record of European qualifying,
conceding just four goals in 10 matches, and Andrei Arshavin's ability
to pick a locked defence will be put to the test. Roman Pavlyuchenko's
lack of games for Tottenham and a niggling injury to Chelsea wide man
Yuri Zhirkov weaken Hiddink's hand but it is Russia who are likely to
force the pace with Slovenia looking to play on the break.
Who's saying what?
Matjaz Kek: "Certainly Russia are big favourites but we would not
be intimidated."
Guus Hiddink: "We must not underestimate our opponents."
Andrei Arshavin: "I vaguely remember that game [when Solvenia beat
Russia in qualifying for the 2002 World Cup].In any case, it was a long
time ago and should have no effect on Saturday."
Probable teams
Russia: Igor Akinfeyev; Alexander Anyukov, Sergei Ignashevich, Vasily
Berezutsky, Renat Yanbayev; Igor Denisov, Igor Semshov, Vladimir Bystrov,
Konstantin Zyryanov; Alexander Kerzhakov, Andrei Arshavin.
Slovenia: Samir Handanovic; Miso Brecko, Bostjan Cesar, Marko Suler, Bojan
Jokic; Aleksander Radosavljevic, Robert Koren, Andraz Kirm; Valter Birsa,
Milivoje Novakovic, Zlatko Dedic.
Referee: Claus Bo Larsen (Denmark).
Telegraph.co.uk,
13 Nov 2009
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