preview of tomorrow's world cup match between Russia and Saudi Arabia (June 14/6/2008 by 8:30pm)

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Match Preview

Russia national team 2018
The two teams are not seen as favourites to progress through to the last 16 as the two other Group A teams are Uruguay and Egypt – who possess both individual and collective talent – but, as ever, surprises are expected to be in store.
Russia will be looking to impress their fans on home turf when they open the tournament proper, having underperformed in Brazil in 2014 after crashing out in the group stages following a loss to Belgium and failure to register victory against South Korea and Algeria.
Their form at Euro 2016 wasn't great either, picking up just one point in the group stages against England, and will be given the opportunity to redeem themselves when they host the finals in familiar territory.
"We can’t really influence people’s opinions, we can only see what kind of a group we have," said head coach Stanislav Cherchesov. "We have been studying our opponents from day one.
"There are no weak teams in any of the groups. The first game is important so it will set the tone to a certain extent. We are trying to iron out any kinks we have.
Russia, however, have never made it out of the group stages in the World Cup since the breaking up of the USSR and will be anxious to announce themselves to not only their own fans, but to the football world.
Saudi Arabia's run-up to the finals were a difficult endeavour, having qualified for second place above Australia on only goal difference (+2). They were the only nation, along with England, whose players all play for their respective domestic league – until May, when Al-Muwallad featured for Levante in May at the end of the La Liga season.

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