If you blaim the keeper you probably have never played the game. It was a cruel goal however… very cruel… not exactly the type you prepare yourselves against in practice.

Apparently, the “naive” squad “learning quickly” meant copying what other teams do instead of playing Russian style. I saw them do things I almost never do;

#1) Hiddink must of instructed them to react like a bottom-10 English team would, (say Wigan Athletic or Derby County), in that sent the ball out of their own box with something I never seen… a sense of urgency..sometimes even resulting in a corner! rather than trying to play the ball out against 1/2 the Greek squad, like some 1950s Brazilians.

#2) They tried to get calls, instead of goals, infact DIVING!!numerous times!!! or at the very least adding simulation to a foul. Russian teams always play better when the ref is a lenient one. The UEFA Cup final (Zenit versus Rangers) was a good example of that – the ref saw no reason to stop the flow every 30 seconds and gave no yellow cards except to the keeper in the 92nd minute. In fact I thought they were at a huge disadvantage for the 1st game against Spain in that the ref was whistle-happy.. and one would imagine that would play into Spanish hands against anyone, but especially against a Russian squad. The rain didn’t help things either. But apparently they tried to emulate the cry-baby Spanish or maybe even watched a few Portugese games? I don’t know why it happened but seeing class players like Zyrianov going to ground made me sick.

#3) Russia didn’t shoot the ball enough in the Spanish game. They tried to walk the ball into the net, IN THE RAIN and against Puyol and Casillas. Pavluchenko particularly was hesitant to strike. So what changed? Well Pavluechenko felt it was his duty to lash at anything inside of 40 yards, even if he had an open team-mate making a clear run towards goal.

All in all, a win’s a win but I thought part of our goals was to showcase Russian style to show that Russian football was making a comeback. That sure as hell was not done tonight. Looked more like some MLS game (American top-flight).

And I’m sorry my home team had to knock-out my 2nd favorite just to have a chance to progress.

Greece you’ll always have 2004, no one expected that nor did they give you any credit. Your 2004 victory was far more convincing that Italy’s 2006 WC.

Peace…