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WORLD CUP 2018 OPENER | ||
RUSSIA |
vs | SAUDIA ARABIA | |
| FIFA RANKING 66 | FIFA RANKING 67 | ||
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| TEAM PROFILES |
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| RUSSIA When the Russians launched their bid to host the World Cup for the first time, they were on a high after reaching the semi-finals at the 2008 European Championship. Times have changed. Russia go into the draw as the lowest-ranked of the 32 teams, having failed to advance past the group stage of any tournament since 2008. Ambitious talk of reaching the quarter-finals or even semi-finals has faded. There are off-field problems too, with reports of disputes between players and the coach. Hooligan rampages at Euro 2016 tarnished Russia's image, with the country threatened with expulsion from the tournament in France. SAUDIA ARABIAPreparations for Russia have been far from ideal since qualifying for a fifth World Cup, with two coaches fired. Edgardo Bauza was dismissed nine days before the draw after only five friendlies in charge. The team lost to Portugal and Bulgaria last month. Bauza had been appointed in September to replace Bert van Marwijk, who was fired despite leading the team to their first World Cup since 2006. Juan Antonio Pizzi, who was only named on Tuesday as the new coach, will be tasked with improving on Saudi Arabia's best-ever performance at World Cup - the second-round exit to Sweden at the 1994 tournament in the United States. |
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STAR PLAYERS |
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| RUSSIA | SAUDI ARABIA | ||
| Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow) - A talented goalkeeper who captains the team, Akinfeev has tended to make mistakes in big games. |
Mohammad Al-Sahlawi (Al-Nassr) The 30-year-old striker was instrumental in helping the Saudis reach the tournament with 16 goals in qualifying. |
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