Russia

FIFA World Ranking (November 2001): 22nd

2002 World Cup qualifying: Won UEFA "Group 1" (7-1-2; 18 GF, 5 GA)

2001 Overall Record: 4-1-4

World Cup final appearances: 9 - 1958 (7th), 1962 (6th), 1966 (4th), 1970 (5th), 1982 (7th), 1986 (10th), 1990 (17th), 1994 (18th), 2002

Overall Record in WC: 16-12-6

Record vs. U.S.: 2-0-2; 4 GF, 1 GA

Most Recent Match vs. U.S.: Russia 2, U.S. 0 in Moscow; April 19, 2000 (Titov, Karpin)

Manager: Oleg Romantsev (RUS)

Championship Honors: 1960 European champion; 1956 and 1988 Olympic champions (all as Soviet Union)

Key Players: Valeri Karpin (M, Celta Vigo), Alexandre Mostovoi (M, Celta Vigo)

Fast Facts: Were led in qualifying by striker Vladimir Beschastnykh's eight goals (almost half of Russia's 18 qualifying goals).... Beschastnykh had a first-half hat trick in a 4-0 Cup-clinching win over the Swiss, and also scored crucial goals in 1-0 away wins at Yugoslavia and Switzerland.... In addition to Yugoslavia and Switzerland, their tough qualifying group also featured playoff qualifier Slovenia.... Competed under the new flag for the first time in 1994 at World Cup, where Oleg Salenko set a World Cup record for most goals in one game when he scored five times in Russia's 6-1 thrashing of Cameroon in their final group match.... The former Soviet Union qualified for four straight World Cups from 1958-1970, and three more from 1982-1990 (before advancing in 1994 as Russia).