Russian coach demands improvement

Russia coach Oleg Romantsev was pleased with his side’s 2-0 win over Tunisia in Kobe but not their performance.

Egor Titov fired Russia ahead on 59 minutes after a blunder by Tunisia keeper Ali Boumnijel and Valery Karpin wrapped up victory with a 64th-minute penalty.

But Romantsev was still planning to take his players to task for sloppy defending and wayward finishing in the Group H clash.

‘‘It was a good game for the fans but there will be reprimands for my players,’’ he said.

‘‘We cannot allow our opponents to create so many chances, and we created chances ourselves but did not finish them off.

‘‘So we have work to do in both penalty areas.’’

Tunisia joint coach Ammar Souayah said conceding two quick goals had given his side too much of a mountain to climb.

‘‘It’s true that we held out well for an hour but we conceded two quick goals against a very strong and experienced Russian team and it was difficult for us to come back.

‘‘Many neutral observers consider us the weakest team in the group, but we have to recover our spirits and prepare for the next game (against Belgium). It’s going to be the determining game for us.’’

Romantsev added: ‘‘The Tunisia coach is a little modest. I think they have a good team.

‘‘All they have to do is stop thinking about the score today. If they stop doing this and start to relax I think Belgium will have a problem.’’

Romantsev said he was hopeful that injured duo Alexei Smertin and Alexander Mostovoi would be fit for the clash with Japan in Yokohama on Sunday.