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KOBE, Japan (Ticker) -- Russia makes its first appearance in a major international competition in six years on Wednesday, when it encounters Tunisia in a Group H matchup. The Russians failed to qualify for the 1998 World Cup in France or Euro 2000 in Belgium and The Netherlands. Despite competing at USA '94, Russia lost its opening two matches in group play and failed to advance. Russia's best World Cup performance came in 1966. Playing as the Soviet Union, Russia finished fourth in England. Coach Oleg Romantsev selected a relatively inexperienced squad with eight players having earned fewer than 10 caps for Russia. That makes the presence of veterans Alexander Mostovoi and Valery Karpin in midfield all the more important. The pair have played key roles in the recent success of Celta Vigo in the Spanish Primera League. However, Mostovoi injured his hamstring in a match against Yugoslavia on March 19. But the 33-year-old is expected to be fit for the Tunisia clash. Karpin scored during Russia's warmup victory over J-League club Shimizu S-Pulse. But Romantsev's side had dropped four of their previous five games. Tunisia, which was the first African nation to win a World Cup match, will try to improve upon its outing in 1998. "The Carthage Eagles" lost to England and Colombia before earned a consolation point against Romania. The only World Cup qualifier from its continent which failed to advance past the opening round of the 2002 African Nations Cup, Tunisia did not score a goal in its three first-round matches. That was largely attributed to the injury absence of strikers Zied Jaziri and Adel Sellimi. However, both are in the squad led by co-coaches Ammar Souayah and Khemais Laabidi. But midfielder Zoubeir Beya likely will key Tunisian success. Playing for Turkish side Besiktas, Beya led Tunisia during World Cup qualifying with six goals. In their only previous meeting Russia (the Soviet Union) beat Tunisia, 3-0, in a friendly on March 20, 1977. |
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