International friendlies: Russia manager Valery Gazzayez is seriously considering his future with the team after their dismal performance while losing to Israel in Moscow last night.
RUSSIA 1 ISRAEL 2:
The coach, under heavy pressure from the media and fans to resign following a string of poor results, blasted his players for a lacklustre effort.
"There's no need to talk about the match, it was a shameful, disgusting performance by our team tonight," he said.
"The players were totally lacking any will to win, so I told them in the locker room 'if you play like that I'm no longer your coach'. I will meet with (Russian soccer chief) Vyacheslav Koloskov tomorrow and will decide on my future."
Russia are one of Ireland's chief rivals, along with Switzerland, to qualify for next year's European Championships out of Group 10.
The friendly game was serving as a final tune-up for the Russians as they prepare to travel to Dublin for a crucial qualification game against Brian Kerr's men on September 6th.
Second-half goals from Avi Nimni and Pini Balili had given the Israelis a deserved 2-0 lead before Sergei Semak pulled one back for the home side.
The Russians were without captain Alexei Smertin, who was reported to have left Moscow for London yesterday to sign a four-year contract with Chelsea.
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SWITZERLAND 0 FRANCE 2:
France produced a masterful display last night as they strolled to a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Swiss at the Stade de Geneve.
Goals in each half from Sylvain Wiltord, in the 13th minute, and substitute Steve Marlet, in the 55th, gave only a superficial idea of their supremacy over Ireland's Group 10 rivals.
Kerr's squad will travel to Switzerland for their final qualifying match on October 10th.
Meanwhile, Ervin Skela scored a consolation goal as Albania, who are also in Group 10, went down 3-1 away to Macedonia in a friendly.
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GERMANY 0 ITALY 1:
Christian Vieri scored the only goal in Stuttgart as Italy defeated Germany in a friendly last night.
The Inter Milan striker scored in the 17th minute in front of an attendance of over 50,000.
The Italians are challenging Wales for qualification from Group nine of the European Championship qualifying series.
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NORWAY 0 SCOTLAND 0:
Scotland had goalkeeper Robert Douglas to thank for a 0-0 draw against a frustrated Norway in a friendly last night.
John Arne Riise hit the post in the second half, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also came close.
The match was a warm-up for both teams ahead of Euro 2004 qualifiers early next month. Scotland are third in Group Five behind Germany and Iceland, who beat the Faroe Islands 2-1 last night to go top.
