Russia, New Zealand primed for Confed Cup opener
MOSCOW: Hosts Russia kick off the Confederations Cup against New Zealand in Saint Petersburg on Saturday, targeting victory in their opening match to set the tone for a successful tournament.
“We’ve worked hard and I believe now we’re well-prepared for the opening game,” Zenit midfielder Igor Smolnikov told Russian TV.
“But we will be able to check whether we’ve done everything right only once we play in official matches.
“We’re all feeling brave and will take things on full of optimism. Hopefully, the arena in Saint Petersburg will be a lucky venue for our team.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the opener along with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino at Saint Petersburg’s purpose-built World Cup 68,000-seater stadium.
It will be the first meeting between Russia and New Zealand, the champions of Oceania, in the post-Soviet era. The USSR beat New Zealand 3-0 at the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
Organizers have laid fresh turf at the Krestovsky Stadium to allay fears over the condition of the pitch that prompted Zenit to shift their final league match to their former ground.
Russia manager Stanislav Cherchesov takes charge of his first competitive match with the national team, having stepped in to the role after the country’s disastrous Euro 2016 campaign.
The former Russian international goalkeeper has set his squad the ambitious task of winning the Confed Cup, a dress rehearsal for next year’s World Cup.
But Russia have achieved mixed results since his appointment with three wins, three draws and three defeats.
Russia salvaged an impressive 3-3 draw with Belgium, but that followed a 2-0 home defeat to Ivory Coast — Russia’s first loss to an African team — and a humiliating 2-1 defeat to Qatar.
However results in recent friendlies — a 3-0 win in Hungary and 1-1 draw with Copa America holders Chile — have given the country’s football fans some hope.
New Zealand are appearing at the Confed Cup for the fourth time, although the All Whites are still hunting for a first victory in the eight-team competition.