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Scouting
Report
Style of play: The slow, methodical style of
play that Russia was once famous for has been replaced
with a more modern approach. Gone is the short passing
game with emphasis on static ball possession; in its
place is a more progressive game featuring long-balls
and attacking from the wings. Still, Russia continues
to play disciplined soccer, with emphasis on a defence
that maintains its line and doesn't venture forward.
The central midfielders take up holding positions and
are the link between the defenders and the wingers who
are responsible for getting the ball to the feet of
the attackers.
Strengths:
Goalkeeping -- Ruslan Nigmatullin is a sure-handed
goalkeeper who started all 10 of Russia's qualifying
games, recording six shutouts. Voted Russian Footballer
of the Year in 2001, Nigmatullin combines athleticism
with superb positioning, and has the ability to make
outstanding saves.
Defence -- Anchored by veterans Yuri Nikiforov,
Victor Onopko and Yuri Kovtun, Russia is very solid
at the back (it conceded a mere five goals in 10 qualify
games). Youngster Alexei Smertin is a versatile defender
who can play in the middle or as a wing-back.
Strong qualifying round -- Pitted in a group
that included Slovenia, Yugoslavia and Switzerland,
Russia topped one of the toughest qualifying groups
in style by winning seven of 10 games and only losing
once. Its strong performance gives them a great deal
of confidence and momentum as they head to Japan and
South Korea.
Weaknesses:
Limited attack -- Striker Vladimir Beschastnykh
scored seven of his country's 18 goals during qualification
and is Russia's only potent scoring threat. If opponents
can stop him or if he hits a rough patch of form, Russia's
scoring chances will quickly dry up.
Age -- Coach Oleg Romantsev has selected a lot
of players he used six years ago when Russia competed
in the European Championship in England. Russia is lacking
youth as too many of its players, especially in the
crucial central midfield positions, are on the wrong
side of 30.
Recent history -- Russia failed to qualify for
the World Cup four years ago and have not played in
a major international competition since the 1996 European
Championships. Whether or not Russia will be able to
perform on the international stage after a six-year
absence is still up in the air.
Key injuries/omissions: Playmaker Alexander
Mostovoi is trying to recover from a hamstring injury
in time for Russia's first game…. Striker Denis
Popov was ruled out for Russia's squad after tearing
ligaments his knee…
Outlook: Russia is a well-balanced side with
several experienced and technically skilled players.
After failing to qualify for the 1998 World Cup, Russia
is looking to make it to the quarterfinals for the first
time since 1970. While that might prove to be difficult,
Russia should have little trouble advancing to the next
round as they are head and shoulders above their competition
in Group H. Tunisia poses no threat and Belgium, riddled
by a series of key injuries, should be easy to brush
aside. Japan will be difficult to defeat due to the
home-field advantage, but Russia is hungry and should
top this group.
The
Country
Location: Northern Eurasia, bordering the Arctic
Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean
Capital: Moscow
Area: 17,075,200 sq km
Population: 146,001,176 (July 2000 est.)
Government type: Federation
Climate: Ranges from steppes in the south through
humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic
in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters
vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia;
summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along
Arctic coast.
Ethnic groups: Russian 81.5%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian
3%, Chuvash 1.2%, Bashkir 0.9%, Byelorussian 0.8%, Moldavian
0.7%, other 8.1%.
Religions: Russian Orthodox, Muslim, several
minority religions.
Languages: Russian, several minority languages.
History: The defeat of the Russian Empire in
the First World War led to the seizure of power by the
communists and the formation of the Soviet Union. The
brutal rule of Josef Stalin from 1924-53 strengthened
Russian dominance of the Soviet Union. The Soviet economy
and society stagnated in the following decades until
Mikhail Gorbachev introduced glasnost (openness)
and perestroika (restructuring) in an attempt
to modernize communism. His scheme, however, unintentionally
released forces that, by December 1991, broke up the
Soviet Union into 15 independent republics. Since then,
Russia has struggled in its attempts to construct a
democracy and market economy to replace the strict social,
political, and economic controls of the communist period.
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