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Russia's unfortunate World Cup journey
RT continues its sporting review of 2009, taking a look
back at the Russian national team's attempt to qualify for the 2010 World
Cup in South Africa.
With most of Russia still in the grips of winter, Guus Hiddink's side
started their quest to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa
in warmer climes - in Southern Turkey. What was supposed to be a gentle
get-together ahead of the new season turned into one of the biggest footballing
stories of the New Year, 2009.
The controversy revolved around head coach Guus Hiddink, who was to join
Chelsea to help out an old friend, following the sacking of Felipe Scolari.
Coming into their first match of the year at the end of March, Russia
were lying second in Group 4, four points behind the leaders Germany,
but with a game in hand.
Their opponents were Azerbaijan, who had only a point, following a goalless
draw with minnows Liechtenstein. Guus Hiddink's side would comfortably
prevail 2-0, thanks to goals from Roman Pavlychenko and Konstantin Zryanov.
Just four days later, Russia were in action again - this time, in the
tiny alpine principality of Liechtenstein, which has a population of just
over 30.000.
In theory, this should have been the perfect opportunity for the visitors
to bolster their goal difference. However, Andrey Arshavin and co. put
in a cracked performance, and would struggle to a 1-0 win.
Russia were still in second place, as Germany kept on winning, but Hiddink's
side were already opening up a gap on third-placed Finland to try and
at least secure a play-off spot.
June saw Russia play one of their most crucial matches of the qualifying
campaign, away at Finland, where victory would move them to within a point
of the Germans. Guus Hiddink was now fully in control of the Russian national
team, having left his post with Chelsea. And Arshavin et al put in an
excellent display, thanks to a double from Aleksandr Kerzhakov, and one
from Konstantin Zryanov to all but seal a play-off spot.
Russia had to wait until September for their next qualifying game, at
home to Liechtenstein in St. Petersburg. Guus Hiddink would have to do
without captain Andrey Arshavin and Yury Zhirkov, who were both out injured.
The home side were cruising at half time, 3-0 up thanks to two penalties
from Roman Pavlychenko, and Vasilly Berezutsky scored his second international
goal from close range. However, Russia were unable to add any further
goals in the second half, as Hiddink's side missed out on a decent chance
to improve their goal difference.
Four days later and it was on to Cardiff for another potentially tricky
encounter for the Russians, as they took on Wales.
Andrey Arshavin returned from injury, and he had an immediate impact,
helping his side to a 3-1 win, which set up the next month's match in
Moscow between Russia and Germany as the group decider, with the winner
almost certainly qualifying automatically for the 2010 world cup.
Moscow was buzzing ahead of the crucial match with Germany. Luzhniki Stadium
had long been sold out, with over a million requests for tickets, while
the most expensive seats were selling for in excess of $8,000. However
a Miroslav Klose goal in the first half would put the visitors in front,
and an excellent defensive display, in particular by goalkeeper, Rene
Adler, would give Jochim Low's team the points, and condemn Russia to
the play-offs, if they wanted to make it to South Africa.
Slovenia stood between Russia and a place in the World Cup. The first
leg was in Moscow, and two well-taken goals by Diniar Biliyaletdinov seemed
to put the hosts in control, while Hiddink's team had a number of good
chances to extend that lead and make the return match in Maribor a formality.
However, with just two minutes to go, the home side's defense lost concentration,
and Pechnik was on hand to score a crucial away goal to leave the tie
wide open going into the second leg.
That late goal would prove to be crucial, as Zlatko Dedic's goal just
before half time in the return leg was enough to see off Russia, who would
finish with only nine men, and qualify for the World Cup.
The World Cup will get underway on the 11th June, 2010 in Johannesburg.
But sadly for Russia, they will not be there.
RT,
03 January, 2010
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