Capello calls up 10 uncapped players
Reuters - Wednesday 01 August 2012, 20:24
Russia's new coach Fabio Capello
called up 10 uncapped players and left out stalwarts Igor
Semshov and Konstantin Zyryanov as his named his first squad on
Wednesday.
The Italian last week replaced Dutchman Dick Advocaat, whose
tenure ended following Russia's disappointing Euro 2012 campaign
when they were knocked out in the group stage.
His squad for the friendly against Ivory Coast on August 15
included 36 players and will be whittled down to 23 before the
game.
The former England manager kept faith with skipper Andrei
Arshavin and striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, who looked below their
best in Poland and Ukraine.
Three newcomers - defender Arseny Logashov, midfielder Oleg
Shatov and striker Fyodor Smolov - play for Anzhi Makhachkala,
a wealthy club from the volatile North Caucasus region that is
coached by former Russia boss Guus Hiddink.
Capello also named seven players from Russian champions
Zenit St Petersburg coached by fellow Italian Luciano Spalletti.
Capello, who promised to blood new players into an ageing
team, dropped midfielders Semshov and Zyryanov, who have each
played more than 50 internationals.
Striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, who joined English Premier League
newcomers Reading from rivals Fulham in the off-season, was also
omitted.
The match will be Capello's only test before Russia begin
their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign against Northern
Ireland on September 7.