Hiddink expecting negativity

RUSSIA coach Guus Hiddink wants to keep Roman Abramovich smiling this week by plotting a way past the famed rearguard of European Championship holders Greece in Group D tonight (7.45pm).

Chelsea owner Abramovich has signed Luiz Felipe Scolari as his new manager at Stamford Bridge but focus switches back to his beloved national team when they try to get off the mark tonight.

Greece played five in defence when they lost to Sweden in their opener and despite promising to attack, Hiddink is expecting negative tactics from Otto Rehhagel’s side when they clash in Salzburg.

“They will play their own way and we have to deal with that,” he said.

“Normally they keep a lot of people in the defensive line and it’s difficult to break through that wall. We’re going to have to be very smart and try not to walk into the traps they set.

“I personally think that, as European champions, they should take more initiative but that’s their way of playing and we’ll have to deal with it.

Hiddink, who still has playmaker Andrei Arshavin suspended reflected on the 4-1 defeate to Spain saying: “We took our wallets out of our pockets and gave them to Spain.”

There is plenty at stake at Stadion Wals-Siezenheim, for Greece, a chance to answer their critics.

Defender Vassilis Torosidis said: “This side has achieved things that will never be forgotten. Against Sweden we didn’t perform well, but we must stick together and find the strength to get through our next two very difficult games. We can only promise to give our best. The key thing is not to let our heads drop.”

Sotiris Kyrgiakos added: “The Swedes had done their homework. We lost a battle, not the war.”