Dzagoev tells Russians: Stay calm, behave
Reuters - Friday 15 June 2012, 16:48
Alan Dzagoev, whose three goals
in two games have left Russia well placed to reach the Euro 2012
quarter-finals, appealed on Friday to his country's fans not to
misbehave during the remainder of the tournament.
Russia have the threat of a six-point deduction hanging over
them in next European Championship qualifying if their fans
cause trouble of the same severity that marred the crowd
disturbances in their 4-1 victory over the Czech Republic in
Wroclaw.
"Maybe they should be more calm," Dzagoev told reporters on
the eve of Russia's final Group A game against Greece in the
Polish capital on Saturday.
"We don't need to lose six points in qualifying and we don't
want anything bad for our national team."
Russian and Polish fans also clashed before the second Group
A game in Warsaw on Tuesday, prompting football's European
governing body UEFA to open another disciplinary case.
Prickly Russian coach Dick Advocaat berated a Dutch reporter
for asking him to comment on the fighting that took place
outside the National Stadium, and his mood appeared not to lift
for the remainder of the news conference.
The Dutchman claimed after the 1-1 draw with the Poles that
his side had played the best football at Euro 2012, but picked
holes in that performance on Friday.
"In the second half we did not play that great against
Poland, but that had to do with losing the ball unnecessarily,"
he said.
"The first half was very good. There were not too many
chances for either team and in the second half Poland did a lot
better. We simply have to get better."
Dzagoev, who scored twice against the Czechs and headed
Russia in front against Poland, owned up to being culpable of
wasting possession.
"I don't think that I have played two good games. Yes, I
scored against Poland but I lost possession a lot as well, said
Dzagoev, who celebrates his 22nd birthday on Sunday.
Russia top Group A with four points and need just a draw
against Greece to reach the last eight.
Advocaat said midfielder Konstantin Zyryanov had been sick
on Friday but otherwise had a "fit and healthy squad".
The coach backed misfiring striker Alexander Kerzhakov who
has missed a glut of chances in Russia's two games.
"Kerzhakov is a player who is going to take his
opportunities and he can score a goal out of nothing, even
though he may not play that well," Advocaat said.
"He can score goals and has done that his whole career."