Hiddink: Russia must take risks

Russia's boss Guus Hiddink has said that Russia must take risks against England if they are to defeat them in the crucial Euro 2008 qualifier at the Luzhniki stadium. There has been much talk of the effect of the plastic pitch in Russia, however, Hiddink has preferred to take a more cautious approach, implying Russia's fate lies in their own hands.

"We know what we have to do against England," the Dutchman told a news conference on Monday at the Luzhniki Stadium.

"You can't go on a fully fledged attack right from the start because the game lasts 90 minutes, but sooner or later we must take risks and go full out to get a win."

Hiddink said the 3-0 outcome flattered England after his team had a valid goal ruled out which would have made the score 1-1.

"We got a bit sloppy at the beginning and fell behind but we scored a completely legal goal, which would have given the game a totally different perspective," he said.

"In any case, I feel we matched up well against England. We were not blown away at Wembley."