Russia count on experience

Russia coach Georgi Yartsev has included just one surprise in his squad for the first leg of the UEFA EURO 2004™ play-off against Wales.

Akinfeev reward
Uncapped PFC CSKA Moskva goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev has been rewarded with a call-up for his efforts in helping the club win the Premier-Liga title. Yartsev has named 22 players in all for the match on 15 November in Moscow, with the return to follow four days later in Cardiff.

Radimov returns
Returning after injuries are FC Zenit St. Peterburg midfield player Vladislav Radimov and FC Porto's Dmitri Alenichev. SC Rotor Volgograd veteran Valeri Esipov is also called up after missing the last qualifying match.

Russia squad
Ovchinnikov, Malafeev, Akinfeev, Evseev, Nizhegorodov, Ignashevich, Sennikov, Onopko, Solomatin, Gusev, Izmailov, Loskov, Radimov, Mostovoi, Aldonin, Titov, Smertin, Kariaka, Esipov, Alenichev, Kerzhakov, Bulykin, Sytchev.