The Russian Quandary

By Vusmann

FIFA world cup hosts Russia face uphill tasks ahead of their key opening match against the Saudi Arabians. The National Team, as they are affectionately known in Russia, must win their game at all costs.

Besides Yuri Zhirkov, Russia doesn't possess tried, tested and proven world stars like past icons: Andrei Arshavin, Lev Yashin, Oleg Salenko, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Andrei Kanchelskis. They have to make do with what they have. They couldn't have got an easier group, they just have to win the first game and overpower Egypt. Home advantage gives them the edge even if both Egypt and Saudi Arabia are ranked higher than them. Uruguay is of course tipped to top the group with little effort.

Bowing out at the first round whilst hosting would a huge disaster for a nation like Russia. Bafana Bafana are still the the only host to be knocked out on the first hurdle, a misfire that may take a while to be repeated. They have to emulate the South Koreans, who went all the way to the semis on home soil despite having a relatively inexperienced side.

Russia faces a more tougher task in tackling racism during the world cup. Negative attitudes and actions by some Russians towards people of different origins including antisemitism, as well as hostility towards various ethnicities of the Caucasus, Central Asia, East Asia and Africa has been rife in recent years. Moscow based SOVA Center reported that over 557 people were killed and 3780 injured during racist attacks in Russia as from 2004. Several top sides in Russian top flight league have been sanctioned for racists allegations.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promised unspecified serious consequences if incidents of racism occur during the World Cup: "In terms of discrimination, we will have clear procedures in place, including a three-step process for referees who can stop, suspend or even abandon a match in case of discrimination. We have a monitoring system and then immediate sanctions if something happens. We obviously wish that doesn't happen and everyone has been warned that if it happens there will be serious consequences."

Whilst one of their richest men in football circles, Roman Abramovich the Chelsea owner, is being frustrated out of the lucrative English Premier League, a move that clearly doesn't sit well to Russians.

Back to the world's greatest football spectacle, in Group B, The Red fury is tipped to dominate with Iran being the whipping boys. The group runners up will be a very close run between Portugal and Morocco. It will depend much on how they play against each other. Both are very solid at the back whilst the Europeans have a seasoned goal scorer in Christiano Rolando.

France will surely top Group C followed by the Danish Dynamite who clearly has more gifted and experienced players than both the Socceroos and Peru. In Group D, Iceland and Nigeria are heavily tipped to be knocked out on the first round. Argentina and Croatia are just too good for them and are expected to top it respectively. Brazil will surely top Group E with any of the other three finishing as runners up. The Serbians seem to have the upperhand but both the Swiss and the Costa Ricans are capable of causing an upset.

The Mannschaft are clear favourites for Group F whilst Sweden might just pip Mexico for the second round ticket. In Group G, Europeans Belgium and England are expected to top it respectively. They have far better teams and more experienced players. Group H is the most competitive and open group amongst all, though Colombia tip the balance of the group. Any of the other three nations and are expected to pull through. As to who goes through with them will be a very stiff competition.

Thus it for now let's meet again after the group stages.