Russian football coach pleased with his team

Chief coach of the Russian national football team Valery Gazzayev believes that the struggle for the 1st place in the Euro-2004 10th qualifying group will be between Russia, Ireland and Switzerland. On Wednesday the Russian team defeated Albania within the framework of the competition while Switzerland had a victory over Ireland.

Thus Switzerland and Russia made a serious claim for the first place in the group, the Russian coach believes. "Yet the struggle is still ahead, there are no weak teams now and none should be underestimated," he said at a press conference in Moscow.

Gazzayev expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance. It has shown "thoughtful football", the new coach of the Russian football players believes. Gazzayev was appointed chief coach after the Russian team's failure at the World Cup held in June in Japan and South Korea.