World Cup Qualifying preview: Wales - Russia

Visitors head to Cardiff intent on stealing top spot

8 Sep 2009 14:43:35

More On :  Russia, Wales
Russia (PA)
By Gill Clark

Kick-Off: Wednesday 9 September, 19.45 BST
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Nothing to lose

Wales welcome Russia to the Millennium Stadium knowing that World Cup qualification is already beyond them but hoping for a strong performance in their final home fixture of the campaign.
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Being drawn in the same group as Germany and Russia meant qualification was always going to be an uphill battle for the Welsh, and so it has proved.

However, manager John Toshack has demanded a good display from his side and urged them to attempt to finish third in the group, behind the top two.

Whilst the Dragons will not be heading to South Africa next summer, this is a campaign that has proved the Welsh future looks bright.

Youngsters Aaron Ramsey, Jack Collison, Wayne Hennessy, Simon Church and Joe Ledley have all gained valuable experience that should serve them, and their country, well in the future.

This fixture could also be the last time Welsh fans have the opportunity to see their national team at the Millennium Stadium for some time.

A series of disappointing displays and turnouts have led both players and manager to admit they feel it might be in Wales’ best interests to play at a smaller venue in the future.

A final decision is yet to be made over the venue for forthcoming internationals but it looks increasingly likely that the Millennium may be cast aside and, if that is to be the case, then Wales will surely want to sign off in style.

Eyeing top spot

It is a different story entirely, however, for Wednesday’s visitors Russia,  who lie second in the group, just one point behind leaders Germany with three games to play.

Victory at the Millennium Stadium would leave Guus Hiddink’s men ideally placed to steal top spot, as they take on Germany in their next fixture, a potential group-deciding game.

The Russians then finish their campaign away to Azerbaijan and they will be hoping for three wins from their last three games, a feat which will guarantee them a spot in next summer’s finals.  

However, Hiddink will ensure his team go to Cardiff well-prepared, having already faced a warning from the Welsh in Russia.

The depleted Dragons almost grabbed in point in Moscow last year after Joe Ledley had equalised Roman Pavlyuchenko’s opener.

It took a Pavel Pogrebnyak penalty with less than 10 minutes to go to steal the win, and the former Chelsea boss will hope for a more comprehensive display from his team this time around.


Form guide

Last five results

Wales

Jun 6: Azerbaijan 0-1 Wales
April 1: Wales 0-2 Germany
Mar 28: Wales 0-2 Finland
Oct 15: Germany 1-0 Wales
Oct 11: Wales 2-0 Liechtenstein

Russia

Sep 5: Russia 3-0 Liechtenstein
Jun 10: Finland 0-3 Russia
Mar 28: Russia 2-0 Azerbaijan
Oct 15: Russia 3-0 Finland
Oct 11: Germany 2-1 Russia


Team news

Wales

The home side have a number of key players missing, with Jason Koumas having recently announced his retirement and Gareth Bale, Andy King and Simon Davies all injured, whilst Jack Collison is expected to miss out on compassionate grounds.

However, Danny Gabbidon, James Collins and skipper Craig Bellamy will all return, which will be a big boost for Toshack.

Possible Starting XI: Myhill, Williams, Collins, Gabbidon, Morgan, Ramsey, Edwards, Ledley, Evans, Bellamy, Vokes

Russia

Russia have fitness doubts over Yuri Zhirkov and Andrey Arshavin, whilst Igor Denisov is suspended.

Possible Starting XI: Akinfeev, Bilyaletdinov, Ignashevich, Berezutsky, Anyukov, Zyryanov, Semak, Rebko, Bystrov, Pavlyuchenko, Kerzhakov


Players to watch

Wales

Craig Bellamy is likely to return to the first team and is expected to regain the captain’s armband.

The striker’s pace and experience will be much needed, and having impressed for Manchester City in recent weeks he will be hoping to sign off at the Millennium Stadium with a goal.

Russia

Roman Pavlyuchenko may be struggling for a start with club side Tottenham Hotspur, but he is Russia’s leading scorer in this campaign with four goals.

The Spurs man bagged a brace last time out against Liechtenstein and will be hoping his good form continues against some familiar faces.


Prediction

With qualification already beyond them this looks a difficult fixture for Wales against a very strong Russia side.

Whilst a strong performance in Moscow ended in a narrow defeat, the extra quality and experience the Russians possess, added to the motivation of chasing top spot in the group, should see them claim all three points.

Wales 0-2 Russia

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