Romantsev - under pressure to perform (Allsport)
ROMANTSEV MAKES QUIT THREAT
By PA Sport Staff
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Russia coach Oleg Romantsev will quit if his team do not qualify from the
World Cup's weakest group.
The Russians will be under pressure to get their campaign off to a winning
start against Tunisia as they look to make the second stage for the
first time since 1986.
"The minimum goal is to qualify for the next round," said the 48-year-old
coach, whose side also face Japan and Belgium.
"Then everything will depend on how well our team plays at this tournament
and what kind of opponents we have in the next round.
"It's the same for any other team. If the team doesn't qualify for the next
stage the coaching staff just have to quit."
The Russians have gone out at the group stage in their last two World Cups, in
1990 and 94, but with none of the big guns in Group H, they will have a great
chance to break that streak.
If they do go out, it is likely to see the end of Romantsev's second reign as
national coach after first leading the team at Euro 96.
He returned to the job in November 1998, combining it with his role as coach
of Spartak Moscow, following the sacking of Anatoli Byshovets.
Romanstev is also under pressure to perform from Russian president Vladimir
Putin, who visited the team's training camp prior to their departure for Japan,
telling the players: "We are waiting for you to win."
The coach claims Putin did not set down any goals for the team, but he added:
"What he told us what that the team must show character, so that our spectators
back home could feel that the team did everything it could do."
Romanstev, though, admits they may fall at the first hurdle in Kobe against
unpredictable Tunisia.
"At any moment Tunisia could outplay any opponent, but they may also lose to
a weaker opponent," he said.
Russia's main injury worry concerns playmaker Alexander Mostovoi, who has been
struggling to shake off a hamstring problem.
"I'm getting better every day," said the Celta Vigo star. "I've been
practising with the rest of the team for two days already, but I don't know if I
will play tomorrow or not."
If Mostovoi does not play, Romantsev's hopes will hang on the three players he
considers instrumental to their chances.
"We've got some good young strikers in Dmitri Sychov and Alexander Kerzhakov,
and also midfielders like Igor Semshov," he said.
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