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Now normally this wouldn’t get its own thread, but this being Steve McClowns biggest game in charge of England it does. No Benayoun and the Israeli goalkeeping coach saying he wants “Russia to qualify” plus “I want Russia to go to the Euros but not in a corrupt way.” Things are not looking good for England.
Guus Hiddink confident of Russia success
Guus Hiddink, the Russia manager, believes that England do not deserve to qualify for Euro 2008. Steve McClaren's men will be all but eliminated from reaching next summer's finals if Hiddink masterminds a victory in his side's qualifier in Israel on Saturday.
The Dutch coach, who outwitted McClaren when England lost 2-1 in Russia last month to see qualification taken out of their own hands, cannot entertain the prospect that his players will not take the three points necessary in Tel Aviv.
"I am calm and relaxed. We know that if we win then we will qualify for Euro 2008," he said. "It is as simple as that. It's in our own hands.
"I am not worried. I am fully focused. For me, this is the equivalent of a World Cup final. We have been through so much in this group as a country that it would be impossible for us to fail in Israel.
"If we analyse this group and the teams, then England do not deserve to qualify.
"Russia have been consistent. You judge success as to who qualifies. If we finish above England then no-one can say we don't deserve it. It was not a freak or a one-off."
Hiddink revealed last month's win over England restored his players' belief that was shattered after September's 3-0 defeat at Wembley.
He said: "They are ready to make every last sacrifice because they believe anything is now possible after beating England.
"They realise now that there is not a big difference between the squads of England and Russia and that money, name and fame do not come into it."
Hiddink is looking for a positive start from his team in Tel Aviv, saying: "We will go there with nothing else on our minds than victory and we will fight until the end. I have told my players to dominate from the first minute. That is the kind of football we need to play."
Guus Hiddink confident of Russia success
Guus Hiddink, the Russia manager, believes that England do not deserve to qualify for Euro 2008. Steve McClaren's men will be all but eliminated from reaching next summer's finals if Hiddink masterminds a victory in his side's qualifier in Israel on Saturday.
The Dutch coach, who outwitted McClaren when England lost 2-1 in Russia last month to see qualification taken out of their own hands, cannot entertain the prospect that his players will not take the three points necessary in Tel Aviv.
"I am calm and relaxed. We know that if we win then we will qualify for Euro 2008," he said. "It is as simple as that. It's in our own hands.
"I am not worried. I am fully focused. For me, this is the equivalent of a World Cup final. We have been through so much in this group as a country that it would be impossible for us to fail in Israel.
"If we analyse this group and the teams, then England do not deserve to qualify.
"Russia have been consistent. You judge success as to who qualifies. If we finish above England then no-one can say we don't deserve it. It was not a freak or a one-off."
Hiddink revealed last month's win over England restored his players' belief that was shattered after September's 3-0 defeat at Wembley.
He said: "They are ready to make every last sacrifice because they believe anything is now possible after beating England.
"They realise now that there is not a big difference between the squads of England and Russia and that money, name and fame do not come into it."
Hiddink is looking for a positive start from his team in Tel Aviv, saying: "We will go there with nothing else on our minds than victory and we will fight until the end. I have told my players to dominate from the first minute. That is the kind of football we need to play."
wrote:
You probably couldn't afford it after buying Cassilas, Carrick, Alves, and Kanoute anyway. 
