New Russian boss banks on experience

NEW Russian coach Georgy Yartsev has recalled several experienced players for the Euro 2004 qualifier against Republic of Ireland next month.

Yartsev has replaced Valery Gazzayev as manager, who quit his post following Russia's 2-1 home defeat by Israel on Wednesday, August 20.

The new coach has recalled Celta Vigo skipper Alexander Mostovoi, as well as Yegor Titov and Dmitry Alenichev. It is the first time the experienced trio have been included in the squad since the 2002 World Cup.

Former Russian captain Viktor Onopko (pictured) has also won a call-up to the squad and Yartsev sees the experienced players as key to his side's chances of beating Ireland in Dublin.

"He said: "All of them are very experienced players and undoubtedly they will help us in the game against Ireland.

"It's a crucial game for us, there is just too much at stake here."

Squad

Sergei Ovchinnikov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Vyacheslav Malafeyev (Zenit St Petersburg), Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Viktor Onopko (unattached), Yuri Kovtun (Spartak Moscow), Andrei Solomatin (CSKA Moscow), Sergei Ignashevich, Gennady Nizhegorodov, Vadim Yevseyev, Dmitry Sennikov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Alexander Mostovoi (Celta Vigo), Yegor Titov (Spartak Moscow), Dmitry Alenichev (Porto), Alexei Smertin (Chelsea), Rolan Gusev (CSKA Moscow), Dmitry Khokhlov, Dmitry Loskov, Marat Izmailov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Igor Semshov (Torpedo Moscow), Andrei Karayka (Krylya Sovietov Samara), Yevgeny Aldonin, Valery Esipov (Rotor Volgograd), Vladislav Radimov, Andrei Arshavin (Zenit St Petersburg), Dmitry Sychev (Olympique Marseille), Alexander Kerzhakov (Zenit St Petersburg), Roman Pavlyuchenko (Spartak Moscow), Dmitry Kirichenko (CSKA Moscow), Dmitry Bulykin (Dinamo Moscow).