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Russia Ready to Face One of the Strongest Asian Teams

Russia national team manager Stanislav Cherchesov claims that his team are ready to face one of the best Asian teams in the form of Iran.


Russia do not have any competitive matches between now and the start of the World Cup, as they will be taking part in the competition as the hosts of the tournament. As a result, that is a lot of need from Russia in order to build form by facing competitive teams before the start of the competition. Russia have been involved in friendlies against the likes of Chile, while they were also seen at the Confederations Cup.

Even though the Confederations Cup ended in a disappointing fashion with the team losing against Portugal and Russia, the only victory in this competition came in the hands of New Zealand. As a result, Cherchesov is aware that there is a lot of work to be done within the national team if they are to be coming in with a decent performance in front of their own supporters.

Prior to the start of the World Cup, Russia will be up against Korea, Iran, and Argentina in three friendly matches. The last of those friendlies is scheduled to take place in November and this does not provide the team with plenty of opportunities to test the squad.

Cherchesov is for the moment only focused on the double-header against Korea and Iran.“I’ve previously talked about a friendly between Russia and Iran with Carlos Queiroz and now it’s going to happen. We’ve seen Iran’s match with South Korea and I have to say they take advantage of good players such as (Sardar) Azmoun, (Milad) Mohammadi and (Saeid) Ezatolahi. The friendly match will be an important warm-up match and I am sure my friend Queiroz thinks so. We are going to play a beautiful football with strong Iran and I am sure the fans will fill the seats,” said Cherchesov.

Carlos Quieroz praises Russia’s progress ahead of 2018 World Cup

Iran head coach Carlos Quieroz spoke fondly about the Russian national side ahead of the friendly between the two nations on Tuesday night.


The 2018 World Cup hosts defeated South Korea by a comfortable 4-2 scoreline on Saturday, and Queiroz admits there is a still a distinct difference in performance between European and Asian nations.

He said in a press-conference: I saw Russia and South Korea match and I have to say it was a strange and interesting match. Russia showed a better performance and they showed differences between Europe and Asia football. We want to learn from the Russian team, that’s why we are here. I think the current Russian team is a better team than it was in Confederations Cup”

Despite this, Queiroz is confident that his side will play good football against Russia, who will welcome over 23,000 fans for the friendly in Kazan on Tuesday night. After successfully hosting the Confederations Cup in June, Russia are said to have begun preparations for the World Cup in full swing starting with the transport arrangements. Continue reading “Carlos Quieroz praises Russia’s progress ahead of 2018 World Cup” →

Fulham Sign Zenit St Petersburg Player on Deadline Day

Fulham have been able to secure the signing ofYohanMollo from Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg on transfer deadline day.


This has been a major coup for the Championship outfit. The 28-year-old is a well-known player in these quarters after having represented the likes of St Etienne and Monaco. Fulham have been able to bring the player to Craven Cottage on a contract for just two years. It is expected that the club will offer him an extension depending on his performances going forward and if the club are promoted back to the Premier League.

The prospect of playing in the Premier League appears to have been a huge draw for the 28-year-old, who says that he is extremely excited about this project. Fulham have started the 2017-18 campaign as one of the teams capable of getting promotion.YohanMollo has been at Zenit St Petersburg, who also have former Chelsea winger Yuri Zhirkov in their ranks, for only a short period of time. He had moved to the club for just around € 500,000 from KrylyaSovetov Samara.

In his short spell at the club, he made seven appearances in the league and managed to come up with one goal. His decision to return back to English/French football will help him get some much needed stability in his career.

“I am really happy and excited about the project.I have an opportunity to play in England and to play with a club with great history like Fulham with some great players. It’s a big opportunity for me and I am looking forward to getting started,” said the 28-year-old. Fulham have also signed Wolves winger Jordan Graham on a season-long loan deal. “I’m over the moon. It’s a wicked club to be at. I know how big a club it is,” said Graham.

Massimo Carrera believes in his team

Spartak Moscow coach Massimo Carrera believes that his team can win the title again this season.


The manager who brought the first league title after 16 years said that his players are ready for it and that they are keen to keep the title that they have fought for last season.

Massimo Carrera believes that there is great potential in the team and that it will not be a strange feat if the team managed to retain the title. He believes that the players are aware of their potential and that they are ready for it.

Massimo Carrera said that it has been a wonderful campaign last season and that it was a formidable moment for both the players as well as the fans when they lifted up the title. He said that they will be desperate to experience the same thing this season and that the players are prepared to fight for it. Continue reading “Massimo Carrera believes in his team” →

Former Socceroos defender Luke Wilkshire eyeing A-League stint after Dynamo Moscow exit

 Former Socceroos defender Luke Wilkshire is open to the possibility of an A-League stint, with Sydney FC looking to recruit him as an injury replacement.


The 35-year-old right-back parted ways with Dynamo Moscow at the end of last season, and he has since turned down multiple offers from Russia’s second-tier in order to realise a possible return home.

The 80-cap Socceroo is being eyed by Sydney FC as a suitable replacement for Rhyan Grant who suffered a serious cruciate knee ligament injury, and Wilkshire confirmed his interest, he said: “If something interesting comes up that excites me, then I will certainly look at it. Everything is possible for me … it’s been like that throughout my career. For me, it’s about something that makes you excited to get out of bed each day. As of yet, I am still waiting to see what happens and I am enjoying being with my young family. If nothing pops up I might shoot to Miami and watch some baseball!” Continue reading “Former Socceroos defender Luke Wilkshire eyeing A-League stint after Dynamo Moscow exit” →

Marathon bet Agree Deal with Dynamo Moscow

Marathonbet have agreed to become the official sponsor for Dynamo Moscow, who have returned to the Russian Premier League following a year in the second tier.


The agreement will last until the summer of 2020 with the online bookmaker likely to benefit from branding placement on player’s shirts, the club’s Arena Khimki VTB Arena stadium. Dynamo Moscow will also display their sponsors on their various digital platforms, thus promoting Marathonbet to the Russian market and across the world.

“Sponsorship is an important part of the club’s make-up and we are therefore glad that our search has ended with a partnership with Marathonbet, a leader in the betting sector and one that is confident and optimistic about the future,” Dynamo Moscow general director YevgeniyMuravyov said.

Ekaterina Zemskova, a representative for Marathonbet, also had some fond words to say about Dynamo, who are one of the most recognised clubs in the country, he added: “Dynamo Moscow is a club with a great history – it is the first Soviet champion, the first Soviet Cup winner; it is a brand recognised all over the world. We have been partnering with sports clubs for a long time, with a portfolio now including Manchester United, Malaga and Hibernian.” Continue reading “Marathon bet Agree Deal with Dynamo Moscow” →

CELTIC MUST PROGRESS IN EUROPE

Brendan Rodgers did something amazing with the Celtic side last summer.


The former Reds boss built a talented ‘invincibles’ team that broke records. However, while this was much celebrated on the home front, it was not much in the international scene.

After the 7-0 white wash by Barcelona by the trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr., the side picked themselves up against Premier League team Manchester City – A City side coached by Pep Guardiola that had won its first ten matches – playing a 3-3 result. Scotland knew no peace as fans ran riot. The follow up results against Monchen and City sustained the momentum even though they later exited the competition.

Many labelled the achievements as one of the greatest in the history of the Scottish football, forgetting that the same club had defeated Inter Milan, Rangers had humbled Russian giants Dynamo Moscow aside the exploits of Aberdeen and Dundee United in Europe. Continue reading “CELTIC MUST PROGRESS IN EUROPE” →

Russia count on Yuri Zhirkov, Igor Akinfeev’s experience at the Confederations Cup

Russia have been formed to name a rather depleted squad for the Confederations Cup later this month with nine of their Euro 2016 participants not making the list.


Manager Stanislav Cherchesov has decided to go with untested bunch of players for the showpiece event in their home nation with Yuri Zhirkov and Igor Akinfeev among the highly-experienced players in the squad.

Zhirkov, who is a left-back by trade, has the versatility to pop up anywhere across the field, and the nation will be counting on him to guard the backline, which lacks the presence of Vasily Berezutsky and Sergei Ignashevich. Akinfeev has been the undisputed number one for CSKA and Russia over the years, and he will have to be in his best form, in order to push the nation towards success.

Smolov is likely to lead the line for the Russians during the Confederations Cup with his compatriot Artyom Dzyuba in the physio room alongside several other key players including Alan Dzagoev and Roman Zobnin. Russia earned a valuable draw against Chile in an international friendly, and this provides them a lift as they take on Oceania champions New Zealand in the opener. Continue reading “Russia count on Yuri Zhirkov, Igor Akinfeev’s experience at the Confederations Cup” →

BIRMINGHAM KEEN ON ASTON VILLA STAR

The Birmingham Mail claims that Aston Villa is eyeing a move on Aston Villa star Christopher Samba.


Steve Bruce is set to offer the player a deal as he has been on trial with Villa since the winter window. He has been training with the team and it seems Bruce would confirm him this summer.

Birmingham want to spoil the party by luring the player under Bruce’s nose, the report says. The club manager Harry Redknapp has worked with the player in question at Queen Park Rangers. As he wants to bolster his squad, he might offer the Congo international a deal. Continue reading “BIRMINGHAM KEEN ON ASTON VILLA STAR” →

Will Arsenal be the 1st club to play against Moscow at the VTB Arena?

The VTB Arena is a multi-purpose stadium which is in the process of being built and it will be the new home stadium of Dynamo Moscow, it’s expected to be completed and opened for matches in 2018.


This construction process has an estimated cost of around US$1.5 billion and this will also include the development of various other complexes such as: a 5 star hotel, office buildings, a shopping mall, apartment building and a parking garage with a capacity for over 1,500 cars.

Dynamo Moscow is attempting to be negotiating with the English Premier League club Arsenal in order to have their inauguration match with them when the VTB Arena gets completed in 2018. Continue reading “Will Arsenal be the 1st club to play against Moscow at the VTB Arena?” →