Ignashevich: We will play better against Belgium
Russia are ready for their second Group H game against Belgium after a nervous start to the FIFA World Cup, according to Sergei Ignashevich.
Russia are ready for their second Group H game against Belgium after a nervous start to the FIFA World Cup, according to Sergei Ignashevich.
Fabio Capello's men were far from their best as countless mistakes saw them play out an uninspiring 1-1 draw with South Korea in Cuiaba on Tuesday.
Next up for Russia is a trip to the Maracana on Sunday where they will face Belgium, who came from behind to beat Algeria 2-1 in their opening game.
Speaking ahead the match, Russia captain Ignashevich conceded his team-mates were a bundle of nerves against the South Koreans, though he said it would bode well for the fixture in Rio de Janeiro.
"Nervousness prevented us (playing at our best)," the 34-year-old defender told FIFA.com.
"I think in the first half we made many unforced mistakes, which was unusual for us. And I first of all put it down to nervousness.
"But we showed our character only after (going behind), when we understood that everything was slipping through our fingers.
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"Capello has been saying today that, now we have experienced the level of the World Cup, that nervousness we talked about should disappear."
Ignashevich - Russia's second-most capped player behind former defender Viktor Onopko (109) with 98 appearances - added: "The match will be very difficult and very important for us.
"And I don't doubt that we will give our all and I am confident will play better than in the match against (South Korea)."