Russia began their UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying campaign in subdued fashion
with home draws against Croatia and Israel before the appointment of Dutch
coach Guus Hiddink began to bear fruit in a 2-0 victory over Estonia in
St Petersburg and an away victory by the same score against in-form Macedonia,
who had previously battled to a creditable goalless draw in England.
Russia's players celebrate Andrei Arshavin's
(C) goal in the 2-0 EURO 2008 qualifying win over Macedonia on 15
November 2006, a performance that Guus Hiddink described as the
best since he took charge. (AFP) DIMITAR DILKOFF
The reward for Russia's improved form is a steep climb up
the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, as Hiddink's team shot from 39th up
to 23rd place in the space of two months, rising no fewer than 10 places
in November alone. Russia have not been this well-placed since March 2003,
and although a best-ever third in April 1996 remains a distant prospect
for the time being, the team which dazzled on the world stage in the 1960s
and 1970s during the Soviet era is certainly heading in the right direction
once again.
After four matches in EURO 2008 qualifying Group E, the undefeated Russians
lie two points behind leaders Croatia, ahead of highly-fancied England
in third. With their uncertain start consigned to history, Hiddink's men
have every chance of emerging from the group, as the renowned coach steadily
settles into his new job and a new country.
"I've been made very welcome here, and I feel at home. So many people
have come to me and wished me well for the future," the 60-year-old
recently declared on his birthday. He even made an unusual promise to
his Russian hosts: "As you know, I don't touch alcohol, but I'm perfectly
well aware of the Russian vodka drinking tradition. I'm prepared to make
an exception: if we qualify for the European Championship, I'll drink
a vodka with you."
Faith in youth
The national tipple has played no part in the turnaround engineered by
the Dutch supremo, who led Australia to the Round of 16 at the 2006 FIFA
World Cup GermanyT.
In his new job, Hiddink has put his faith in a promising crop of youngsters.
For the meeting with Macedonia, he omitted established names including
Alexander Kerzhakov and veteran skipper Alexei Smertin, dramatically introducing
five new faces instead. Spartak Moscow trio Roman Shishkin, Dmitri Torbinskiy
and midfielder Aleksei Rebko made first appearances in the squad, while
CSKA Moscow defender Ivan Taranov and Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Igor
Denisov even made it onto the team-sheet.
The man in charge, Hiddink, takes a moment to
reflect prior to a friendly match with Latvian team in Moscow on
16 August 2006. (AFP) VIKTOR DRACHEV
In defeating Macedonia in Skopje, the Russians won plaudits
for a whirlwind attacking game and ruthlessness in exploiting their opponents'
weaknesses. Vladimir Bystrov and Andrei Arshavin struck in the first half
to establish a match-winning cushion, and the margin of victory could
have been even greater but for a touch of carelessness in front of goal.
"That was our best performance since I took over," Hiddink later
enthused, delighted at reaping the reward for his attacking line-up. "That's
my football philosophy," he confirmed afterwards. "My players
need to develop their own style, and in my opinion, they're an attacking
side. More than anything else, I was pleased with the way we worked together
as a team today."
For the first time in years, the foundations appear to be in place for
a renaissance in the national team's fortunes, although that will require
extremely hard work against realistic objectives. A full return to former
glories appears unlikely in the short term, although memories remain strong
of Soviet football's golden age at the end of the 1950s. The USSR won
gold at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, claimed the inaugural European Championship
in 1960, and finished fourth at the 1966 FIFA World Cup EnglandT.
At club level, teams such as Dynamo Moscow and the forerunners of the
CSKA of today glittered on the European stage. There was to be glory in
the early 1970s too, with an appearance in the 1972 European Championship
final and a number of successes at club level. USSR junior teams were
feared and successful opponents at the time.
Challenges for the future
Andrey Arshavin (R), one of Russia's new guard,
seen here challenging Macedonia's Robert Petrov during their UEFA
EURO 2008 qualifier in Skopje on 15 November 2006.
(AFP) ROBERT ATANASOVSKI
The collapse of the former Soviet Union sparked a period
in the doldrums for the game in Russia. On its foundation in 1992, the
new Russian Football Association faced a series of daunting challenges.
Despite work on reform, recapturing former glories proved a struggle,
although the game in Russia never lost its mass appeal despite the dislocation
of a society in transition, and football remains easily the most popular
sport in the vast nation.
With an eye on developing home-grown talent, the association is mulling
over a cap on the number of foreign players at club level. "I have
nothing against foreigners. I'm one myself in Russia," Hiddink remarked.
"but you need a limit, to ensure your own young players get a chance
to develop." The Dutchman's recipe involves the clubs giving their
current academy structures a thorough overhaul or establishing new youth
development centres.
Over the long term, the idea is to nurture a new generation to match Lev
Yashin, Rinat Dasaev, Igor Belanov, Nikita Simonyan, Igor Netto and Eduard
Streltsov, the legendary names which even now prompt heady nostalgia both
in Russia and elsewhere.
,
Dec. 14, 2006.
Russian ladies dream about happy marriage.
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