FIFA World Cup 2014: Capello looks to prove point with Russia after 12 years

Moscow: Fabio Capello has a point to prove as he leads Russia to their first World Cup appearance in 12 years. The Russians did not qualify for South Africa four years ago after losing a playoff to Slovenia, but the Italian was there as England's head coach.

Having arrived full of hope, England and Capello suffered a tournament to forget, the 67-year-old Italian guiding his team to just one victory
before bowing out 4-1 to Germany in the last 16, their heaviest ever defeat in the finals.

Capello was criticised by the English media not only for the results and style of play, but also for the strict discipline he installed at the team's training camp in Rustenberg.

In his own way, Capello has stamped his authority on the team and, at the same time, been well received by the players, fans and media.

He is thoroughly studious and this has certainly paid dividends with the Russian team. A once-leaky defence has become almost watertight in the last 18 months as Russia conceded only five goals in qualifying.

At the same time, the team has not lost the attacking flair that was evident under Dutchman Guus Hiddink as they scored 20 goals en route to Brazil.

Their 4-0 victory at the start of the campaign in Tel Aviv against Israel was perhaps their best performance since a 3-1 victory over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008.

The former AC Milan boss spends considerable amounts of time in the country and has even been to ice hockey games in his free time.
He has signed a new contract to remain at the helm of the national side until after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

In Brazil, the minimum requirement for Russia is to qualify from the group stages for the first time since the break-up of the Soviet Union, a realistic goal in a group containing much-fancied Belgium but also Algeria and South Korea. Russia can fancy their chances this time.