Russian FA back Advocaat as pressure mounts ahead of crucial ties

RUSSIAN FA president Sergei Fursenko has given new coach Dick Advocaat a vote of confidence as the pressure mounts on the Dutchman before Friday’s Euro 2012 qualifying tie in Dublin.

Russia’s hopes of qualifying for Poland-Ukraine took a huge hit last month when they lost 1-0 at home to Slovakia. But Fursenko is adamant that Advocaat, who was hired amid great controversy after he had spent just eight months of his two-year contract as Belgium coach, is the right man to turn results around.

“You can see the players are progressing from match to match,” said Fursenko, “and I am optimistic about our future. We have full confidence in Advocaat and fully support him. We were unlucky to lose to Slovakia and it’s important to remember that we have another eight games ahead of us and nothing is decided yet. The thing to remember now, though, is that every game is now like a final. I am sure we will get to Euro 2012, and that our results will improve.”