RUSSIA RELYING ON MOSTOVOI MAGIC
WITH their opening World Cup fixture just 15 days away, Russian coach Oleg Romantsev will be hoping that Alexander Mostovoi can win his fitness battle and grace the team's starting XI. Opta examined the playmaker's domestic form to highlight just how valuable the midfielder is to his country's ambitions.
The experienced campaigner limped off with a thigh injury in the recent friendly against Yugoslavia, but nonetheless enjoyed a solid season in Spain during 2001-02. Mostovoi made 29 appearances for Celta Vigo, helping the side to a respectable fifth-placed finish in the Primera Liga.
With Russia having notched just two goals from open play and one from the penalty spot in their last five outings they will be relying on Mostovoi's vision to unhinge opposition defences in the Far East.
The 33-year-old released almost a 1,000 successful passes in the Spanish top flight, picking out a colleague with 72% of his distribution over the halfway line. Such precision yielded a staggering tally of 15 goal assists for his colleagues - more than any other La Liga representative managed last season.
Mostovoi sprayed more than 200 long balls around the pitch and with pacy youngsters such as Marat Izmailov eager to exploit the space afforded them, his range could be key to the Russians' success.
Not just competent in creating opportunities, the influential midfielder also demonstrated a keen eye for goal. He smashed home 10 league strikes for Celta - including three spot kicks - and netted a hat-trick in the UEFA Cup win over Slovan Liberec.
Mostovoi may not have scored for his country since the team's 1-0 win over the Faroe Islands back in March 2001, but his presence alone is enough to inspire the nation to greater success.
