Russia to give it 200 per cent, and a prayer, against Spain

Russia's Denis Cheryshev celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opened the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow. Photo: AP Photo

Russia's Denis Cheryshev celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opened the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow. Photo: AP Photo

Published Jun 30, 2018

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Moscow – Hosts Russia will give it 200 per cent, and a prayer,

in order to beat mighty Spain for a place in the World Cup

quarter-finals, forward Denis Cheryshev said on Saturday.

The 2010 champions Spain have never won a match against a host nation

at a World Cup or European Championship. Cheryshev hopes that trend continues on Sunday at Moscow's Luzhniki

Stadium in the last 16, and said his team doesn't feel extra

pressure.

"We have to give 200 per cent, that's our responsibility. The team is

relaxed and very much ready to do a good job," Cheryshev said, adding

that "I usually pray ahead of games."

Cheryshev, who scored three times in the group stage, said that

scoring against Spain, where he plays club football at Villarreal,

would be no extra satisfaction because all that counts is the team

effort and winning.

"I am sure we are going to have a hard time. They are excellent and

can play very well but we also have our assets. We can win against

anybody. That's what we have to think," he said.

Coach Stanislav Cherchesov said "we have not lost confidence" after a

3-0 defeat in the last group game against Uruguay and expressed hope

that "tomorrow we can prove our worth and win".

dpa

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