Russia national football team

The Russia national football team is the national football team of Russia and is controlled by the Football Union of Russia.

Since the breakup of the USSR, Russian football has struggled to show the level the USSR team showed in the Communist era; a significant number of the USSR's players came from the other republics. The team qualified for two World Cups (1994, 2002) and two European Championships (1996, 2004), but failed to get out of the first round each time.

History

After the break up of the Soviet Union, Russia played its first international against Mexico on August 16, 1992. Many former USSR players from other parts of the Soviet Union remained involved in their team.

In the 1994 World Cup, Russia was drawn into Group B with Cameroon, Sweden, and Brazil. In their first game Russia were defeated by Brazil 2-0. Four days later Russia played Sweden. After taking an early lead after four minutes with a goal from Salenko, Sweden came back to win the match 3-1. Eliminated already, Russia defeated Cameroon 6-1 with Oleg Salenko scoring a record of five goals in a single world cup match. Russia was eliminated from the tournament with 3 points - one win and two losses.

Two years later Russia qualified for the Euro 96 and was drawn into group C with Germany, Czech Republic, and Italy. This was hyped as a 'group of death' with Russia seen as overwhelming favourites to fail to qualify, and so it proved. In their first game Russia lost to Italy 2-1 and four days later to Germany 3-0. In their last game Russia fought to a creditable 3-3 draw against the Czech Republic.

Russia failed to qualify for World Cup 1998 and Euro 2000.

At World Cup 2002, Russia was drawn into group H with Belgium, Tunisia, and Japan. In their first game Russia won over Tunisia 2-0. After much media hype and determination from Russian fans, Russia were determined to win against Japan. However in the 51st minute tragedy spelled for Russia as Japan took a 1-0 lead. Japan held out to win the game 1-0 sparking riots in Moscow. In their last game against Belgium, there was again much determination and gossip for victory. In the 7th minute Belgium took the lead with a goal from Walem. On the 52nd minute Russia equalised. Drama began to unfold in the last 12 minutes when in the 78th minute Belgium scored with a goal from Sonck. Russia hopes faded when Belgium took a 3-1 lead in the 82nd minute from Wilmots. A goal two minutes from time from Sychev could not save Russia as they lost 3-2. Russia were eliminated with 3 points, scoring a win and two losses. The 2002 campaign was regarded as one in which Russia could have avoided simple mistakes to qualify for the second round.

In the Euro 2004, Russia was drawn into group A with Greece, Spain, and Portugal. On the first day of the tournament Russia lost to Spain 1-0 and four days later lost to Portugal 2-0. However on June 16, Russia surprisingly defeated Greece 2-1 with Kirichenko scoring in the 2nd minute and Bulykin later scoring in the 17th minute. However Russia was eliminated from Euro 2004.

In the World Cup 2006 Qualifying tournament Russia was drawn into Group 3 with Portugal, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. Throughout much of the campaign Russia trailed Slovakia for a second place spot. On October 12, 2005 Russia needed to win against Slovakia in Bratislava. After a hard fought and suspensful match the game finished 0-0 and Slovakia moved ahead to take the playoff spot. As a result Russia failed to qualify for Germany 2006 and finished third in group 3 with 23 points scoring six wins, five draws, and one loss.

Russia are currently preparing for the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

World Cup record

1930 to 1990 - Did not enter, was part of USSR
1994 - Round 1
1998 - Did not qualify
2002 - Round 1
2006 - Did not qualify

European Championship record

1960 to 1992 - Did not enter, was part of USSR
1996 - Round 1
2000 - Did not qualify
2004 - Round 1

Managers

Pavel Sadyrin (1992–1994)
Oleg Romantsev (1994–1996, 1999–2002)
Boris Ignatyev (1996–1998)
Anatoly Byshovets (1998)
Valery Gazzaev (2002–2003)
Georgi Yartsev (2003–2005)
Yuri Semin (2005)
Aleksandr Borodyuk (2006)
Guus Hiddink (since July 2006)

Famous players

This lists players who have played most or all of their international careers in the Russian era. For notable players from the USSR era, see USSR national football team.

External links