Hiddink names Russia squad for Israel clash amid turmoil
between players
By Eli Shvidler
MOSCOW - Russia coach Guus Hiddink has named a 24-man provisional squad
for the upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel on October 7 and
against Estonia four days later.
Hiddink will have his strongest squad available, with captain Aleksei
Smertin, Vassili Berezutski, Yegor Titov, Dmitri Loskov, Yuri Zhirkov
and Aleksandr Kerzhakov all back from injury or suspension after missing
Russia's Group E opener - a 0-0 draw against Croatia.
But Hiddink has other worries on his mind. His squad has been split by
allegations against CSKA Moscow by its three main rivals for the league
title - Spartak Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg. They
have accused CSKA of "fixing" its 1-0 win over FC Tom Tomsk
last week.
"I expected CSKA to win, or to be more precise I expected Tomsk to
lose," Zenit's Andrei Arshavin. Similar comments were made by Spartak
captain Igor Titov and Lokomotiv's Dmitri Loskov.
The reaction was not late in coming. CSKA captain Sergei Ignashevich hit
back in an interview with Sport Express. "Arshavin, Titov and Loskov
would be well advised to point out exactly where Tomsk didn't make an
effort or played in a way that arouses suspicion. It is insulting after
one has sweat it out on the pitch to hear baseless accusations from players
with whom one wears the national team colors. I would have expected a
better attitude from my Russia teammates."
The animosity between the players could deepen next week when the players
meet for the start of training ahead of the Euro qualifiers. Hiddink will
have his work cut out as most of his squad comes from the four teams involved
- CSKA, Spartak, Lokomotiv and Zenit. If Hiddink doesn't manage to stand
up to his reputation as a peacemaker Israel and Estonia could be set to
benefit.
