Russia

Coach:

Guus Hiddink

Born: 08/11/46

Goalkeepers

Igor Akinfeyev (CSKA Moscow)

Born: 08/04/86 Caps: 19 Goals: 0

Returned as Russia's number one keeper after tearing knee ligaments

Vladimir Gabulov (Amkar Perm)

Born: 19/10/83 Caps: 4 Goals: 0

Quick and agile, Gabulov is solid both in goal and coming off his line.

Vyacheslav Malafeyev (Zenit St Petersburg)

Born: 04/03/79 Caps: 16 Goals: 0

Solid if unspectacular, the experienced Malafeyev has regained the number one role at club level.

Defenders

Alexei Berezutsky (CSKA Moscow)

Born: 20/06/82 Caps: 29 Goals: 0

A tall, powerful left back who relies more on his strength rather than skill.

Vasily Berezutsky (CSKA Moscow)

Born: 20/06/82 Caps: 26 Goals: 1

Like his twin brother Alexei, he is strong in the air and likes to get forward for set pieces.

Sergei Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow)

Born: 14/07/79 Caps: 35 Goals: 3

Hard-nosed central defender with a powerful shot. Not as dependable as in the past, but his position in the squad looks secure.

Denis Kolodin (Dynamo Moscow)

Born: 11/01/82 Caps: 12 Goals: 0

Like Ignashevich, a rugged central defender with a thunderous shot. Often scores from long-range free kicks and likes to take penalties.

Alexander Anyukov (Zenit St Petersburg)

Born: 28/09/82 Caps: 29 Goals: 1

A fast right fullback with a good shot, he can also man the midfield. Good one-on-one marker.

Renat Yanbayev (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Born: 07/04/84 Caps: 2 Goals: 0

A newcomer to the national team.

Midfielders

Dmitry Torbinsky (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Born: 28/04/84 Caps: 8 Goals: 0

One of Hiddinks's favourites but often gets into trouble because of a short temper.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Born: 27/02/85 Caps: 20 Goals: 0

Another skilful midfielder, he became Lokomotiv captain this season. Lacks stamina though.

Vladimir Bystrov (Spartak Moscow)

Born: 31/01/84 Caps: 19 Goals: 4

A lightning-pace right winger, he does justice to his surname (bystro meaning “quick” in Russian). But he's prone to injuries.

Yuri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscow)

Born: 20/08/83 Caps: 16 Goals: 0

A tireless left winger, good at both ends of the pitch.

Konstantin Zyryanov (Zenit St Petersburg)

Born: 05/10/77 Caps: 9 Goals: 2

Another late bloomer, he became a regular in the national side soon after joining Zenit from struggling Torpedo Moscow.

Roman Shirokov (Zenit St Petersburg)

Born: 06/07/81 Caps: 4 Goals: 0

Has developed into an all-rounder this season after joining champions Zenit from rivals FK Khimki.

Igor Semshov (Dynamo Moscow)

Born: 06/04/78 Caps: 25 Goals: 0

Diminutive but skilful, he can feature in most positions in the midfield.

Oleg Ivanov (Krylya Sovietov Samara)

Born: 04/08/86 Caps: 0 Goals: 0

A late replacement for the injured striker Pavel Pogrebnyak.

Sergei Semak (Rubin Kazan)

Born: 27/02/76 Caps: 46 Goals: 4

The oldest in the team was a surprise addition.

Forwards

Andrei Arshavin (Zenit St Petersburg)

Born: 29/05/81 Caps: 32 Goals: 11

Small and talented.

Dmitry Sychev (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Born: 26/10/83 Caps: 38 Goals: 15

Youngest Russian to score a World Cup goal.

Roman Pavlyuchenko (Spartak Moscow)

Born: 15/12/81 Caps: 15 Goals: 6

Hailed as Russia's saviour after scoring both goals in a win over England in a crucial qualifier.

Roman Adamov (FK Moscow)

Born: 21/06/82 Caps: 2 Goals: 0

A built striker who earned a surprise call-up to the provisional squad

Ivan Saenko (Nuremberg)

Born: 17/10/83 Caps: 6 Goals: 0

Impressed Hiddink with his work ethic.