Advocaat: Slick Russia best when fresh
Reuters - Friday 08 June 2012, 22:30
Maintaining a light training
schedule in the build-up to Euro 2012 kept Russia's players
fresh, coach Dick Advocaat said after his approach was rewarded
with a 4-1 rout of the Czech Republic in their Group A opener on
Friday.
"It didn't make sense to train hard so they wouldn't be able
to run any more," the Dutchman told reporters. "We did look at
our health and you see the benefits it reaped."
Russia swept to an impressive victory with a slick
counter-attacking display and some clinical finishing to take
eary control of what was predicted to be a tight group. Co-hosts
Poland drew 1-1 with Greece in the earlier group game in Warsaw,
Alan Dzagoev scored either side of a dinked effort from
Roman Shirokov before substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko struck a
brilliant fourth to sink their dazed opponents.
Despite the impressive performance, Advocaat said Russia
could have been sharper in front of goal.
"Four goals in an international tournament is quite a lot,"
he said. "We actually should have scored more goals. There were
moments when we could have been sharper."
Czech coach Michal Bilek rued that his side could not
capitalize at the beginning of the match when they were able to
press Russia, only to be let down by glaring mistakes at the
back.
"This result is very impressive for Russia," he said. "The
Russians have great technique and they showed us today they are
a very strong team."
Despite the setback, Bilek said his team were capable of
shrugging off the heavy defeat and would bounce back in their
remaining group games.