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| Andrei Arshavin © Action Images |
Coach Guus Hiddink is optimistic Russia will make it to the 2010 World Cup despite playoff rivals Slovenia grabbing an away goal in Saturday's first leg in Moscow.
Ahead of Wednesday's second leg in Maribor Hiddink said there
was no cause for panic.
"Of course, I was dissappointed with the result," the Dutchman
said.
"We were leading 2-0 and had plenty of chances to increase our
advantage.
"But I thing there's no need to go from one extreme to another.
"We did not lose the first match we won it! And there's no room for
panic.
"I know that a very tough battle is waiting for us in Slovenia
but we gave another proof that we can upset any opposing team
regardless of how many goals they allowed in their qualifying group
or how dangerous in general they are."
Russia's press praised the country's national squad for their
2-1 first leg win but stressed that such a slim advantage ahead of
the return leg match leaves open the fear of missing next year's
finals.
"Diniyar, we need the third!" claimed the front page of the
country's oldest sports daily, Soviet Sport, referring to Everton
midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's double on Saturday.
"It was not enough!" voiced the front page of a daily tabloid
Tvoi Den.
Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev said he was seriously upset
with the outcome of the match in Moscow but nevertheless believed
Russia could clinch a positive result in Slovenia.
"It was a good match, which we were keeping under control almost
up to the end," he said.
"But in the last minutes we lost concentration allowing Slovenia
to reduce the arrears. And we have nobody to blame for it except
ourselves.
"In the match at Maribor we will need to keep ourselves
concentrated throughout the match. This will be the key to
success."
In Wednesday's match Russia should field a full-strength line-up
with only minor possible changes.
"I was not planning any serious changes as none of our players
were injured on Saturday," Hiddink told the press. "We are going to
Slovenia in a brave mood."
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