Almost perfect Russian storm

THE state-of-the-art stadium is up and running, the world-class manager in situ but behind the fashionable facade remains an Irish side that, like its predecessors, leans heaviest on character and commitment.

For 70 minutes last night, Russia played a different game to their hosts. Ireland went into the Group B encounter with their heads held high at the top of the table and yet their hearts were in their boots as the final quarter approached.

It was a painful evening up to then, one made all the more so not just because of the scoreboard but because of the optimism that preceded it and the nonchalant manner in which Dick Advocaat’s side had divested the crowd of their illusions.