The head coach of the Russian team had all twenty men to choose a starting
line-up including a fully recovered captain Sergei Semak.
But Guus decided not to break the traditions of the Russian team that
always seek the result in the opponent's penalty area. As a result our
squad was most attacking.
Curiously enough but Andrei Arshavin led the team to the pitch. This happened
for the first time since his suspension in Andorra in the final Euro-2008
qualifier.
After the match Guus Hiddink told Sport Express that he debars Andrei
from captain's position and after a year and a half Arshavin again gained
the captain's arm band.
There were no Malafeev and Mamaev in the application form for the match.
Aldonin and Semak took an active part in the pre-match warm-up and were
regarded as main candidates for reinforcing the team during the match.
The advantage of the Russian team was unquestionable. After not very spectacular
matches with Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein Russia showed game appealing
to the eye.
Russia continued to attack and the newly returned to the national squad
Alexandr Kerzhakov scored twice while Konstantin Zyryanov scored his third
goal, one in every three games of the year. Thus the Zenit midfielder
set a new record for the Russian team - three goals in first three games
of the year.
"The idea to give the captain's arm band to Arshavin came to my mind
even before the training camp and throughout it I only hardened to this
view," said the head coach of the Russian team Guus Hiddink.
"It is high time I returned the captain's position to Andrei. Everybody
knows why he lost it and Andrei treated it quite right."
"It is also very important for the captain of the national line-up
to speak English well. It is necessary to react quickly on certain decisions
of the referee and be able to talk to him."
"If in the coming matches both Arshavin and Semak are in the starting
eleven the former will be captain."
"Our team can play wonderful football. I felt it last weekend that
they could do it."
