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HIDDINK OMITS ARSHAVIN AND KERZHAKOV
Guus Hiddink comments on the choice of players for Romania friendly
game.
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Photo: english.sport-express.ru
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The Russian national team coaching staff unveiled the roster
for the coming friendly game against Romania which will take place in
Bucharest on March 26.
Guus Hiddink capped twenty players who will defend Russia's interests
while Zenit playmaker Andrei Arshavin and Dynamo forward Alexander Kerzhkov
will miss the encounter.
"Speaking about Arshavin's absence in the roster, I should note that
I want to see Russian national team without this player since two-game
ban will force us play without this player in the opening matches at Euro-2008",
explains Hiddink to Sport Express.
"We have a strong rivalry among forwards as five-six players compete
for two places in the roster."
"As for Alexander Kerzhakov, he didn't have much practice for a long
time and he should work harder to return to his usual form."
"Pavel Pogrebnyak was often left in reserve during the previous season,
but I like his mindset for the games this year."
"I hope Zenit striker will improve his fitness and show brilliant
football for his national team."
"Marat Izmailov have been out of Russian team for a long period of
time and we didn't manage to feature him for the gathering in Turkey."
"He has a constant place in the starting line-up in Sporting and
I want to watch him in action so that I will be able to assess his form."
"Romania is a well-set team with a number of players performing for
the leading European clubs."
"They snatched the tope place in their qualifying group leaving behind
Holland so I will be glad to see Russian internationals in fight with
such s strong opposition."
"Russian has been pitted against three dangerous teams in Euro-2008
group so none of the sides could be tipped as favorites."
"I lay special hopes on Russian national team since I believe the
tournament will bring us only positive feelings."
Sport
Express Daily, 19 Mar 2008
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