Russian defence expert nears retirement

Irish Keane Robbie (L) fights for a ball with Russian Viktor Onopko (R) during their European Championship qualifying soccer match in Moscow on Saturday, 07 September 2002. AFP PHOTO EPA/YURI KADOBNOV

Viktor Onopko, recognisable by his bald head, has been one of the central pillars of the Russian national side for over a decade, and despite a blip following the failure of the 2002 World Cup, he is now back as captain under current coach Georgy Yartsev.

Yartsev built his defence around Onopko and the tactic paid off handsomely as Russia came through difficult qualifiers for Euro 2004 before finally squeezing past Wales 1-0 in the play-offs to book their ticket to Portugal.

He started playing in his native Ukraine and signed for first division side Shakhtar Donetsk at the age of 19, playing three matches in his first season.

Three years later he was on his way to Spartak Moscow where he played a key role in the capital side's great run in the early 1990s when they won three league championships on the trot and reached the semi-finals of the European Cup Winners' Cup in the 1992/3 season.

After the break-up of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 1992, Onopko opted to play for Russia rather than the Ukraine.

Onopko (L) of Real Oviedo vies with Oli of Betis Sevilla in a Primera Division match at Carlos Tartiere stadium in Oviedo 20 February 2000. The game was 1-1.

Racing de Santander's Diego Mateo (L) falls in front of Russian Rayo Vallecano's Victor Onopko (R) during the Spanish Primera Division match at the El Sardinero Stadium in Santander, 16 February 2003.

His contribution to Spartak's cause was recognised when he won the Russian Footballer of the Year award in both 1993 and 1994.

Northern Spanish club Real Oviedo, now in the second division, won the race for his signature in 1995 and Onopko went on to spend seven years with the club.

He has been an regular feature in the Russian team since making his first appearance at the World Cup in 1994, although they failed to get past the first round.

Disaster

Belgian midfielder Gert Verheyen (R) heads off the ball despite Russian captain and defender Viktor Onopko's defence during the Group H first round last match Belgium/Russia of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan, 14 June 2002 at Shizuoka Stadium. AFP PHOTO ODD ANDERSEN

Onopko was still there in 2002 but the World Cup was again a disaster for Russia. They tumbled out in the first round and Onopko's future was in doubt.

Under new coach, Valery Gazzayev, he played sporadically and it was only when Yartsev took over that he played a more profound role and again took the captain's armband.

At club level, he finally left Oviedo in 2002 for a one season loan spell at Rayo Vallecano before finally quitting Spain altogether.

He had a short spell in 2003 at Alania Vladikavkaz in the Russian first division but soon left to join Saturn Moscow in January, 2004 which means his dream of playing in England may never be realised.

Portugal in 2004 was to provide another chance at a major competition and probably his last crack at an international title, but an eleventh hour thigh injury ruled him out after having been named in the finals squad.