Russia v Portugal - PREVIEW
Do-or-die for Russia and Portugal
Under-pressure hosts Portugal can expect no favours when they play Russia in Wednesday's Group A clash in Lisbon according to defender Dmitri Sennikov.
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| Portugal's forward Portugal's forward Luís Figo is tackled by Greece's midfielder Pantelis Kafes (L) 12 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during their Euro 2004 group A football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV |
The Lokomotiv Moscow star said Russia would bounce back from the 1-0 reverse against Spain on Saturday - hours after Greece had stunned Portugal 2-1.
"We will fight until the very last second, as long as our hopes of qualifying are still alive," he said.
However Sennikov admits a combination of the home support and the heat could be factors that will count against the Russians.
"The support for the hosts will be huge," said Sennikov. "There will be even more people cheering them on than Spain had against us.
"The climate is a bit tough for us. You saw the first game against Spain when even they tired after half an hour of play.
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| Swiss referee Urs Meier (R) shows the red card to Russian defender Roman Sharonov (L), 12 June 2004 at Faro stadium, during the opening match at the European Nations football championships against Spain. Sharonov had to walk off the field after receiving his second yellow card as Spain went on to win 1-0. AFP PHOTO / YURI KADOBNOV |
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| (FILES) File picture shows Alexander Mostovoi arriving on a beach in Vilamoura, some 20 km outside Faro, 13 June 2004. Veteran Russian midfielder Alexander Mostovoi has been sent home from the Euro 2004 finals, sources at the Russian camp at Vilamoura told AFP 15 June 2004. AFP PHOTO / YURI KADOBNOV |
The Russians are also reeling after midfielder Alexander Mostovoi was sent home and defender Roman Sharonov is suspended after being sent-off against Spain.
Portugal coach Luiz Scolari meanwhile has to decide if he will change his staring line up and observers at the training ground suggest he will.
Porto's Brazilain born midfielder Deco should start instead of veteran golden genearation stalwart Rui Costa. Simao Sabrosa could lose his starting place to Cristiano Ronaldo, who both gave away a penalty and scored Portugal's goal in the defeat to Greece. Finally Costinha or Maniche may make way for a second striker in the form of Nuno Gomes, to play alongside Pauleta in a win or bust effort from the hosts.
Teams
Russia: Sergei Ovchinnikov, Vadim Evseev, Alexei Smertin (capt), Andrei Karyaka, Alexei Bugaev, Dmitry Sennikov, Yevgeny Aldonin, Dmitry Alenichev, Marat Izmailov, Alexander Kerzhakov, Dmitry Loskov
Coach: Georgy Yartsev
Portugal: Ricardo, Jorge Andrade, Costinha, Miguel, Nuno Valente, Maniche, Luis Figo, Simao Sabrosa, Ricardo Carvalho, Deco, Pauleta
Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Referee: Terje Hauge (NOR)