Igor Akinfeev’s dreadful mistake had threatened to condemn Capello to another
early exit but Alexander Kerzhakov’s equaliser ensured the Italian, and
Russia, are still clinging on the road to redemption.
Capello will celebrate his 68th birthday today with his hopes of progression
to the last 16 alive yet this competition has frequently been the equivalent
of a daunting visit to the dentist for the man known as the Don. He is the
most highly paid manager at the World Cup, earning almost twice England
manager Roy Hodgson’s salary, but the game against Belgium on Sunday is now
critical.
Capello arrived in Brazil with a reputation to repair and, perhaps, a point to
prove.
The experience of South Africa four years ago has been impossible for him to erase from memory, a debacle which left England’s players disillusioned by the boot camp mentality.
>> Match Highlights <<
The experience of South Africa four years ago has been impossible for him to erase from memory, a debacle which left England’s players disillusioned by the boot camp mentality.
>> Match Highlights <<
