RUSSIA 2018 OPENING MATCH Preview: Russia v Saudi Arabia

 

 

https://youtu.be/Mb5jp5k-vt8

 

 

Almost four years of waiting has led to this. Precisely 1432 days after Mario Gotze’s extra time goal saw Germany add a fourth star to their jersey, Russia and Saudi Arabia take to the field to start another chapter in the storied history of the FIFA World Cup™.
Both sides come into the fixture on a rather undesirable run of recent form. Russia have failed to win in seven non-competitive attempts since beating Korea Republic in October, while the Saudis have lost three friendly matches in a row - albeit to strong opposition in Italy, Peru and World Cup holders Germany.
Both will also be hoping for victory at the Luzhniki to end a barren run at the global finals: Russia have not won at the World Cup since 2002, while Saudi Arabia’s last global finals’ victory came at USA 1994.

Team reporter analysis
Igor Borunov with Russia [Follow: Twitter | Facebook]
Despite the fact that public criticism has grown due to Russia's recent form in friendly games, the hosts are hoping to show their value in the opener against Saudi Arabia. They've spent a quiet working week at their base in Novogorsk, far away from the hub of World Cup activity in Moscow, and seem recharged and ready to deliver.

Russia's FIFA World Cup photo session

Russia Portraits - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
09 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 08: Fedor Smolov of Russia poses during the official FIFA World Cup 2018 portrait session at on June 8, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images

Russia Portraits - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
09 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 08: Fedor Smolov of Russia poses during the official FIFA World Cup 2018 portrait session at on June 8, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images

Russia Portraits - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
09 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 08: Denis Cheryshev of Russia poses during the official FIFA World Cup 2018 portrait session at on June 8, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
Russia Portraits - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
09 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 08: Alan Dzagoev of Russia poses during the official FIFA World Cup 2018 portrait session at on June 8, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
Russia Portraits - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
09 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 08: Igor Akinfeev of Russia poses during the official FIFA World Cup 2018 portrait session at on June 8, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
Russia Portraits - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
09 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 08: Yury Zhirkov of Russia during the official FIFA World Cup 2018 portrait session at on June 8, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
Russia Portraits - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
09 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 08: Mario Fernandes of Russia poses for a portrait during the official FIFA World Cup 2018 portrait session at Federal Sports Centre Novogorsk on June 8, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
Russia Portraits - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
09 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 08: Denis Cheryshev of Russia poses for a portrait during the official FIFA World Cup 2018 portrait session at Federal Sports Centre Novogorsk on June 8, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
Russia Portraits - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
09 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 08: Alexey Miranchuk of Russia (L) poses with his twin brother Anton Miranchuk of Russia (R) for a portrait during the official FIFA World Cup 2018 portrait session at Federal Sports Centre Novogorsk on June 8, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
Russia Portraits - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
09 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 08: Sergey Ignashevich of Russia poses for a portrait during the official FIFA World Cup 2018 portrait session at Federal Sports Centre Novogorsk on June 8, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
Russia Portraits - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
09 Jun 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 08: Iury Gazinsky of Russia poses for a portrait during the official FIFA World Cup 2018 portrait session at Federal Sports Centre Novogorsk on June 8, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Abdullah Alghazal [Follow: Twitter | Facebook]
The Saudi team are striving for a good result to show a positive image of the nation’s footballing development to the world. Partly as a result of the occasion, they will likely be cautious from the start. After the opening ten minutes, Juan Antonio Pizzi will have a better idea of the Russians' strengths and alter his plan accordingly.

Did you know…?
No host team has lost in the Opening Match of the World Cup, which has produced six victories and three draws for the home side. Russia have also been in the Saudis’ shoes before, having contested a World Cup opener as the away side: they drew 0-0 with Mexico in 1970 as the Soviet Union.

Possible line-ups
Russia: Igor Akinfeev; Mario Fernandes, Fedor Kudryashov, Sergey Ignashevich, Yuri Zhirkov; Roman Zobnin, Daler Kuzyaev, Alan Dzagoev, Aleksandr Samedov, Aleksandr Golovin; Fedor Smolov
Saudi Arabia: Abdullah Al-Mayouf; Usamah Husawi, Omar Hosawi, Yasser Al-Shahrani, Mohammed Al-Barik; Abdullah Otif, Salman Al-Faraj, Yahya Al-Shihri, Taisir Al-Jassim, Salem Al Dosari; Fahad Al-Molad

Former Russia forward Aleksandr Kerzhakov holds the fabled Trophy, as his country's World Cup excitement levels reach fever pitch.

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13 Jun 2018

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