The new national head coach of Russia, Valery Gazzayev, injected new blood into a squad that crashed out of the World Cup as he announced a preliminary selection for his team's 2004 European championships qualifying campaign.
All change for Russia ahead of qualifiers
The new national head coach of Russia, Valery Gazzayev, injected new blood into a squad that crashed out of the World Cup as he announced a preliminary selection for his team's 2004 European championships qualifying campaign.
The Russian’s will likely prove to be the Republic of Ireland’s most difficult Group 10 opponents but after a wretched Far East campaign, Gazzayev purged the national side of several prominent veterans including Alexander Mostovoi, Valery Karpin and Russia's former skipper Viktor Onopko.
Only eight of the side that misfired in Korea and Japan this summer were included in a 59-man line-up, from which the team will be pared down ahead of the first European qualifier against Mick McCarty’s men on September 7th.
The squad now includes Moscow Lokomotiv's goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov and Moscow CSKA right winger Rolan Gusev, who were completely ignored by Gazzayev's predecessor.
The two players' ommission at the World Cup finals was heavily critised by the Russian press.
Russia face Sweden at home on August 21st in a friendly ahead of the qualifying campaign opening match against Ireland.