Football: Soul-searching In Russia As World Cup Hosts Hit New Low

MOSCOW, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Mar, 2017 ) - Stanislav Cherchesov's ability to coach Russia to the 2018 World Cup was under the spotlight Saturday after the hosts hit a new low with a first defeat to an African team.

Cherchesov and his dispirited squad were whistled off the pitch by furious fans in eastern Krasnodar after England-based pair Jonathan Kodjia and Wilfried Zaha fired Ivory Coast to a 2-0 friendly win.

It was Cherchesov's third defeat in six matches since taking over in August -- the other two coming against Costa Rica and Qatar last year. And it raised questions about the ability of Russia, ranked 60th by FIFA, to compete among the elite with the Confederations Cup just three months away and the World Cup -- for which they qualify automatically as hosts -- next year.

The 53-year-old former Soviet goalkeeper took over after Russia's disastrous Euro 2016 campaign.

But with the clock ticking he faces a daunting task with the defeat in front of a capacity 34,000 crowd on Friday night exposing serious problems in the team coupled with a dearth of young emerging talent.

The coach and squad were lambasted in the Russian press on Saturday. "I'm disappointed," Russian coach Valery Nepomnyashchy, who guided Cameroon into the 1990 World Cup last-eight round, told Sport Express daily.

"The team showed obvious lack of creative moves and sharp passing. There was no balance between the attack and defence." Nepomnyashchy added: "But we shouldn't give way to despair. This defeat may be very useful for the team. "And don't forget that Russia have played without a number of first-line players."