Hiddink: We will not be stopped
Hiddink is hoping to put the final nail in England's coffin tomorrow
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Published by Gibson Square, out November 15th, 204 pages, £12. |  |
Friday, 16, Nov 2007 11:59
Russia head coach Guus Hiddink has claimed his side 'will not be stopped' by Israel in their quest for European Championship qualification tomorrow.
The Russian national team travel to Tel Aviv for what has become the key game in group E.
A win for Hiddink's men will virtually guarantee them a route into the finals of Euro 2008 and condemn England to a summer of watching on from afar.
However any other result means England's top-of-the-table clash with Croatia at Wembley next Wednesday night will be a blood and thunder affair as the home side will need to win to secure their place in Austria and Switzerland next year.
But despite needing to beat Israel at home, something achieved by only group leaders Croatia in this campaign and France in the last, Hiddink is confident he can mastermind a crucial win for his side.
"We've seen Israel play a lot of matches," he told Sport Expressen.
"I wouldn't say their team has a pronounced leader but they are a very strong opponent that can upset the mood of any side.
"But our team is moving forward and is not prepared to be stopped halfway."
Russia overturned England 2-1 in Moscow last month and rose from 26th to 16th in the latest Fifa rankings released in October as a result of the recent form.
"We have made considerable progress, which is reflected in the Fifa rankings," he continued.
"But we still have a lot of work to do."