Hiddink raises Russian spirits

Pavel Pogrebnyak's added-time winner against Latvia last night has lent further weight to Russian hopes that they are entering a bold new era under Dutch coach Guus Hiddink.

Late strike
Although Russia dominated the game, it took substitute Pogrebnyak to break the deadlock in the closing moments of the game in Moscow. Despite the slender margin of victory, Russian daily paper Sport-Express could see at least one major positive from Hiddink's debut with the national team. "What did Pogrebnyak's goal against Latvia remind you of?" wrote the paper. "Was it not like the end of Australia's matches at the World Cup when Hiddink brought on extra forwards to score crucial goals against Japan and Croatia? It was the same here - [Roman] Pavlyuchenko headed the ball down for Pogrebnyak to score and turn a draw into a win in the Dutchman's first match."

Positive thinking
Russia's ability to create and convert chances was called into question, but for Sport-Express, even this negative aspect had a positive side. "Maybe it's best that Russia did not show any magic, because if they did, then many people, including the players, would take future success for granted thanks to Hiddink's magic wand." Hiddink himself was pleased with his first outing with his new side. "The match was very tough," he said. "It was level until the very last seconds but our players kept attacking and eventually grabbed a victory. This means this team has got character, and I am really happy about that. This was a test run ahead of the start of the European Championship qualifiers and I think we did well."

Pogrebnyak debut
FC Tom Tomsk striker Pogrebnyak was one of a number of players who impressed. With a goal on his international debut, he offers Hiddink another attacking option alongside the diminutive Kerzhakov and Dmitri Sychev and the towering Pavlyuchenko. "Miracles happen, but this wasn't one of them," said the tall forward. "I was extremely motivated for this match and I was focused on scoring."

Mutko happy
Football Union of Russia president Vitali Mutko added: "I was very impressed. We won, which is very important for a first match under a new coach. Even though we only won the game in added time, we know that we have hired a coach who is friendly with fortune." Hiddink's men now take on Croatia in their first UEFA EURO 2008™ Group E qualifier on 6 September. Sport-Express was sure that they would be in the right frame of mind after the Latvia game, writing: "Russia will be under no illusions and the team will focus on themselves and not on the fates which some believe have always sided with the Dutchman. For now we'll take heart from the fact that the national team seems to have woken up."