The Russian National Team in World Cup 1998

For the first time since 1978, Russian national team failed to qualify for the World Cup finals. After loosing to Italy 1:2 on aggregate, Russian players can visit France only as a spectators.

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Italy - Russia 1:0 (0:0)

Russia - Italy 1:1 (0:0)

Team Russia finished second in their qualification group and, according to the draw, had to play two extra home and away games against Italy. First game took place on October 29 in Moscow, and second - on November 15 in Naples. The winner on aggregate qualified for the WC-98 in France.

Group 5

Russia	Bulgaria	Israel	Cyprus	Luxembourg

Group 5 standings

Bulgaria qualifies directly to the WC-98 finals. Russia occupies the second position and qualifies for the play-off.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	gp	w	d	l	g	p
1. Bulgaria		1:0	1:0	4:1	4:0	8	6	0	2	18-9	18
2. Russia	4:2		2:0	4:0	3:0	8	5	2	1	19-5	17
3. Israel	2:1	1:1		2:0	1:0	8	4	1	3	9-7	13
4. Cyprus	1:3	1:1	2:0		5:0	8	3	1	4	13-15	10
5. Luxembourg	1:2	0:4	0:3	1:3		8	0	0	8	2-25	0

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Comments to : Oxana Smirnova, oxana@quark.lu.se