Sytchev out as Karpin nears exit
Monday, March 17, 2003
Article summary
Valeri Karpin has asked to be left out Russia's latest squad, while Dmitri Sytchev joins the Under-21s.
Article body
Dmitri Sytchev has been relegated to Russia's Under-21 side by coach Valeri Gazzaev who today named his squad for the UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier against Albania on 29 March.
Ban over
Sytchev was recalled by Russia last month for the first time since last summer's FIFA World Cup after serving a four-month ban for walking out on former club FC Spartak Moskva. However, Gazzaev said that the 19-year-old, who joined Olympique de Marseille in December, is out of form at present. Sytchev will be joined in the U21s by Marat Izmailov of FC Lokomotiv Moskva and FC Zenit St. Petersburg's Andrei Arshavin.
Karpin missing
Real Sociedad midfield player Valeri Karpin has also been left out of the squad. Gazzaev said that the 34-year-old had asked not to be included, as "he would like to concentrate on playing for his club, who are in contention for the Spanish title".
Farewell game?
"The coach tried to convince me to reconsider my decision to retire when we talked on the phone, but in the end he understood my point," the 72-times capped international was quoted as saying. "He then offered me a farewell match in my honour when we play Switzerland in Moscow in September, which was very nice of him. It may very well be the decisive qualifier for us, so I'll have a chance to go out on a high note. It would be really nice to finish my international career that way."
New faces
Meanwhile, Gazzaev has also called on some new faces in 28-year-old FC Dinamo Moskva defender Alexander Tochilin and 20-year-old PFC CSKA Moskva defender Vasili Berezoutski, who is called up for the first time alongside his twin brother, Alexey, as well as Zenit midfielder Konstantin Konoplev.
Perfect start
Russia have made a perfect start to their EURO 2004™ campaign, having won their opening two games. They trail Group 10 leaders Switzerland by a point but have one game in hand.
Russia squad
Ovchinnikov, Chizhov, Mandrykin, Onopko, Solomatin, V Berezoutski, A Berezoutski, Nizhegorodov, Ignashevich, Tochilin, Smertin, Aldonin, Gusev, Yanovski, Popov, Semak, Khokhlov, Loskov, Pimenov, Kariaka, Beschastnykh, Kerzhakov, Konoplev.
