Hiddink Working His Magic in Russia

The Russian national football team, led by Gus Hiddink, won a thrilling comeback 2-1 win over England in Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, in a European Championship (Euro 2008) Group E qualifier game on October 18. Second-half substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko scored two goals to lead the team into victory.

Russia, with six wins, three draws and one loss (21 points), trails two points behind England (second in Group E) despite playing one less game than England. England has currently won seven games, with two draws and two losses (23 points).

If Russia beats both Israel and Andorra in the remaining games, Russia will secure at least a second-place finish and qualify for Euro 2008 even if England beats first place Croatia in the last game.

Croatia is currently the leader in Group E (eight wins, two draws, 26 points), and will qualify by merely drawing its away game against Macedonia.

England is obviously in trouble. England will have to win its last game against Croatia at all costs, and still contemplate Russia’s two remaining games. Only the top two teams qualify for Euro 2008. There have been 12 Championships held from 1960 to 2004 every four years. Germany has appeared in the first round most frequently (nine times), and Russia ranks second with eight appearances (including the USSR). England has made seven appearances, and is co-ranked third.

England seemed to take the initiative on Wayne Rooney’s goal set up by Michael Owen, but Hiddink’s second-half substitution tilted the balance to Russia’s side. Pavlyuchenko was substituted in the 58th minute, and was fouled by Rooney in the 69th. He himself scored the penalty kick goal. Four minutes later, he scored the winning goal off a rebound after English goalkeeper Paul Robinson blocked a shooting attempt from Alexei Berezutskiy surrounded by English defenders. England has not beaten Russia in Moscow since 1973.

France’s Thierry Henry scored his 43rd national team goal after two second-half goals in a Group B qualifier against Lithuania yesterday. This is a team record for the French team. The prior record was held by UEFA President Michel Platini, who scored 41 goals while playing for the French national team. France won a 2-0 victory to move into first place in the group.

kimsk@donga.com