Hiddink: Russia must risk all to beat England

Russia’s coach, Guus Hiddink, has told his team to take risks against England on Wednesday night. It is unlikely anything less than a win will do for his men, with Russia five points behind England in Group E of Euro-2008 qualifiers.

Torrential weather is the new variable which could play havoc with Russia and England's dreams of the European Championships. 

But as snow came down, the Russian camp insists their hopes are on the up.

Russia’s Coach, Guus Hiddink, knows a draw won't do. Only a win gives the Russians a realistic chance of qualification.

Hiddink says his team need to find a delicate mix of defence and attack to succeed. 

“In the beginning and later on it's a matter of balance. We could go for the attack with five or six strikers. But I think it's like walking into a knife. But at some time, early or later, we must have to take risks to get the win,” Mr Hiddink said.  

Players often say they like to do their talking on the pitch. But in the run up to this game all the talk has been about the pitch. The synthetic surface is still causing controversy back in England. But for Russia the focus remains firmly on the match. 

Russia’s Coach, Guus Hiddink

And in particular, how to turn last months 3 – 0 drubbing against England at Wembley into victory at the Luzhniki. 

England’s Michael Owen scored twice in that game, while the Russians had one disallowed.

Hiddink feels the result didn't reflect the match and that's why he reckons the bad memories won't be a mental stumbling block for his young side.

“In big parts of the game we could match up with the English team. So psychologically you are aware what to do to avoid those errors. Then they have the confidence to win that game – so we're not blown away,” Russia’s Coach remembered.

Hiddink has failed in nine attempts to beat England either in the club or international game. But he's made his name taking unfancied sides to unimaginable heights.

So everything will be decided on the artificial pitch of a packed Luzhniki stadium on Wednesday evening.