Cherchesov’s options have been further limited by the absences of Viktor Vasin, Georgi Dzhikiya and Aleksandr Kokorin due to knee injuries.
FIFA World Cup 2018 » Only once before has a World Cup host nation failed to progress beyond the competition’s first stage. That dubious distinction belongs to South Africa, who were sent packing 11 days into the 2010 tournament despite an unlikely victory over France and a spirited draw against Mexico.
Russia’s recent troubles: A cursory glance at recent results would suggest that Russia could suffer the same fate when they host the 2018 edition of football’s flagship event, which begins on June 14, reports Xinhua news agency.
In their last three major tournaments — the 2014 World Cup, the 2016 European Championship and the 2017 Confederations Cup — Russia have managed just one victory, three draws and five losses. In those fixtures they scored seven goals and conceded 12.
Coached by Stanislav Cherchesov, Russia haven’t fared much better in recent international friendlies, with home losses to France, Brazil and Argentina punctuated by a 3-3 draw with Spain. Despite having played each of their past six fixtures at home, Russia has not won since overcoming South Korea 4-2 in Moscow last October.
But it’s not all bad news for the hosts.
The Real Test: The Sbornaya — as the national team are known — have been favoured by being drawn in what is perhaps the World Cup’s weakest group. Their tournament opener is against 67th ranked Saudi Arabia on June 14 and will be followed by a clash with Egypt, who will play in only their third World Cup.
Russia will meet Uruguay in the final group match hoping that Oscar Tabarez’s side is already guaranteed of a berth in the knockout phase and therefore have little motivation. However that may be wishful thinking. Just making it to the tournament’s second phase will represent a triumph of sorts for Cherchesov.
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