Russia look to seal last eight spot against Greeks
Russia will look to cement their place in the last eight at on Saturday when a draw will suffice in their game with Greece.
They
will hope their fans are on much-improved behaviour as any
transgressions could result in their suspended six points deduction from
the next Euro qualifiers being imposed by UEFA.
Russia top the group
on four points with Greece needing to beat them to have any chance of
progressing while Czech Republic, on three, meet co-hosts Poland, who
have two points, also on Saturday.
In the wake of their 4-1
demolition of Czech Republic in the opening game last Friday, Russia had
been expected to storm into the last eight when they faced co-hosts
Poland in Warsaw's National Stadium on Tuesday.
But the Poles forced a
1-1 draw, meaning that while the odds remain stacked in favour of Dutch
veteran Dick Advocaat's men, they know they cannot afford to be
complacent.
"Of course a draw with Greece will also put us into the
knockout stage but we should win and stay in Warsaw. Any other result
will be unacceptable," said Zenit Saint Petersburg midfielder Roman
Shirokov.
That was echoed by goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev, who like Shirokov is one of seven Zenit players who started both games.
"We
also need to forget that a draw will also put us into the knockout
stage and score. Once, twice... as much as we can," Malafeev said.
Advocaat,
who took over from compatriot Guus Hiddink in May 2010, has won
plaudits for building a side with attractive, free-flowing play and
blooding impressive young players such as CSKA Moscow's Alan Dzagoev.
The 21-year-old has scored three goals so far at Euro 2012, getting a double against the Czechs and one in the Polish match.
For
Advocaat, success at Euro 2012 would be a fine parting gift before he
steps down after the tournament to return to club management in his
homeland at PSV Eindhoven.
Hanging over his successor is the spectre
of a six-point deduction from Russia's Euro 2016 qualifying campaign in
the event of further serious crowd trouble involving its fans.
European
football's governing body UEFA issued the warning with a 120,000-euro
($150,000, 96,000-pound) fine, after Russian fans lit and threw
fireworks during their side's win over the Czechs.
While Russia look
set to cruise into the knock-out stages, the picture is very different
for Greece, who lie at the foot of Group A.
The surprise Euro 2004
champions will be looking for an inspired performance similar to the one
that saw them battle back from being a goal down and a man down to draw
1-1 with Poland in their opening game - though this time they have to
win.
The Greeks, hoping to bring some cheer to a homeland locked in
an economic and political crisis, come into the Russia match on the back
of a 2-1 defeat to the Czechs on Tuesday.
"There is a chance and we have to focus and believe that it is possible," their
Portuguese coach Fernando Santos said.

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