Russian coach may resign

RUSSIA coach Valery Gazzayev last night threatened to resign after his side’s 2-1 home defeat to Israel in a warm-up to the crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against a Republic of Ireland side sweating on the availability of Robbie Keane.

While the Irish striker received physiotherapy in London following a knock sustained against Australia, Gazzayev said he may step down after talks with Russian Football Union (RFU) president Vyacheslav Koloskov today "There's no need to talk about the match, it was a shameful, disgusting performance by our team tonight. Tomorrow I will meet Koloskov and make my final decision to stay or to resign," Gazzayev said.

He added: "Such a lack of will that Russian team players showed today is absolutely unacceptable in any case. I have no further comments on the match."

The RFU chief Koloskov said he would likely accept Gazzayev's resignation if it was offered.

This match was an important test for Russia ahead of next month's Euro 2004 qualifier against the Republic.

Keane's ankle injury may not yet rule him out of the tie, assistant manager Chris Hughton confirmed yesterday.

Keane turned his right ankle during the first half of Ireland's 2-1 victory over Australia and it was feared that he would be out of action for up to a month with a ligament injury.

However, Hughton, who also works with Keane at White Hart Lane, claimed: "We're hopeful the injury isn't as bad as we first thought it would be. It looks like ankle ligaments but Robbie is due in this afternoon and we won't know for sure until our (Spurs) physio has had a look at it. We'll know more later."

The news on Matt Holland is positive, according to his club. The midfielder came off in the 19th minute of the Republic's friendly win over Australia at Lansdowne Road after sustaining a knock to the ankle.

"Matt picked up a minor ankle knock whilst on international duty for the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday night but thankfully, the injury is not serious," a club spokesperson said yesterday. Indeed, Holland is suffering no ill effects of the injury, as he and defender Gary Rowett will be in the club shop this afternoon to help launch the side's new Addicks yellow away kit. As part of the Republic of Ireland's preparations for the Russian game, Ireland coach Noel O'Reilly travelled to Moscow last night. As one competitive defeat in 45 years testifies, Moscow is normally a fortress for Russia, but O'Reilly felt that the result was a fair one.

"Russia were technically very good, but deserved to lose. They used 16 players and they were players we knew about already. I don't think they will be calling in any one new for our game. Smertin wasn't here because he's in London and Karpin and Onopko weren't here either.

"At times both sides were very sloppy and it got a bit nasty in the second half. I saw lots of things we could take advantage of but also lots of things we will have to be wary of."

Israel's goals came from midfielder Avi Nimny and substitute striker Pini Balili, while Sergei Semak was on target for Russia.

Russia failed to capitalise on several clear chances as Israeli keeper Shavit Elimelech deflected everything that was thrown at him.

Late in the first half, the guests replied with several dangerous shots, testing Russia's goalie Sergei Ovchinnikov but also failing to grab the opening goal.

After the interval, Israel continued on the attack and in the 52nd minute, Nimny opened the scoring, firing in with an unopposed shot from 12 metres past helpless Ovchinnikov.

Russia replied positively, peppering Elimelech with shots but to no avail as Israel's defence stood firm.

Balili extended Israel's lead in the 81st minute, lobbing the ball into the net over Ovchinnikov from 12 metres from Michael Zandberg's razor-sharp 30-metre pass into the box to secure his team's well deserved win.

Russia's skipper Semak reduced the arrears with five minutes left, but failed to save the day for the hosts.

The Russians were without captain Alexei Smertin, who was reported to have left Moscow for London on Tuesday to sign a four-year contract with Chelsea.

Ireland's other Group Ten opponents, Switzerland, were defeated by France.

Arsenal's Sylvain Wiltord opening the scoring after 13 before wantaway Fulhamstriker Steve Marlet scored the second nine minutes after the break.

Real Madrid's midfielder Claude Makelele, who has refused to train with his club over a pay dispute, was left out of the France side in a diplomatic move by national manager Jacques Santini.

Troubled Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez however played a full role.