I stayed on Cyprus for a vacation and I've seen games against Belgium and Algeria there.
I would like to mention my main thoughts about these games and judje our overall perfomance:
1. vs Belgium:
Much progress from Russia in comparison with 1st game against Korea. Capello's choice to keep playing with Akinfeev was obvious and right. But no Dzagoev, Denisov, Kerzhakov in the starting line-up was strange and incorrect. His subs were too late. I don't get FB's logics. As well as nearly all national team supporters.
Both teams played defensively minded. Russia could and should have scored a couple of times (mainly after Kokorin's free header). There was a penalty claim after foul on Kanunnikov, but this incident has been forgotten as soon as the final whistle was blown and even wasn't mentioned in the media. Lukaku has been absolutely anonymous for two games already. If he is covered, it's like playing 10vs11. Belgium was poor and overall we didn't deserve to loose, but we still managed to do it.
2. vs Algeria:
Again strange team selection. Glushakov SHOULD have been benched for 2nd match in a row, still he started. Shatov again in start, Dzagoev on bench...
Team started well. Kombarov with his ~20th effort has finally produced a great cross (in fact his 2nd great cross on the tournament). Kokorin apologized for his miss against Belgium with a great header. Algeria didn't produce a lot of danger during the game, but nearly all danger came from wings where Kombarov and Kozlov lost everything they only could. Time after time Algerian players won easy headers, but Akinfeev played really well and saved us couple of times... until the situation with lazer, another goalkeeper's mistake and conceded goal. I told my GF one minute before the equaliser that by the way things stand we're going to concede from a header and then will struggle desperately to get a win. I should also mention that coming from the line has always been a weak thing for Akinfeev as he isn't very tall and has teared up his ligaments two times already, which can also be a limiting fear factor in his displays.
Conclusions:
1. That was the weakest group on WC. As was fully expected...
2. Algeria overperfomed which was also proven with yesterday's solid display against Germany. Rather expected, rather not. Algeria and its fans must be proud of their team. Gave everything they could, ran their legs out. Successfully ended nearly record goal draught, scored 4 goals in 1 match which neither African nation did before. Progressed to 1/8 first time in their history and fought bravely against one of the WC favourites.
3. Belgium and Russia underperfomed. Belgium showed rather low perfomance quality (5th WC favourites before the tournament started? They hardly belong to top-8 judjing what we saw). Russia, in addition - poor result.
4. Not many words are said in Russian media about lazers, any kind of injustice or referee mistakes. Capello spoke more about lazer than anybody else. Even Akinfeev said, it didn't become the main factor he made a mistake.
Russia should have done better - both in attack and defence (mainly on wings). That's unacceptable for the highest paid national manager not to progress to 1/8 from such an easy group. When I say "easy" I don't mean countries' names or statuses, but their quality of perfomance.
Main critics are gone to FC, his sh*t team selection and late subs, Dzyuba's not inclusion in final squad. Some critics - to his style of play, but as for me it was obvious just after his appointment that he won't repeat Hiddink's entertaining team model and will bring known "italian" style to the team. Akinfailov and Kombarov also deservedly took much blame. Two aged central defenders named as best players is also shameful news.
Russia could have progressed to 1/8 only to be smashed by Germany there if we were a bit more clinical in the final third or with the help of some referee decisions, which haven't been called. But I can't say we deserved it because such things as luck and referee shouldn't affect your overall result and perfomance during 3 games. Anyway, Algerian players showed how to fight for their country which we again lacked during some moments especially in the final game.
Another final stage, another upset, another poor perfomance. As for me I got used to it. Just like many England supporters I think.
I don't know if Capello will stay. It's 50/50 for me now, but we'll know soon.
At least we "qualified" to WC 2018...
