Russia coach Guus Hiddink was quick to play down the significance of his side's victory over Andorra on Saturday and instead has his sights firmly set on their next Group E clash in Croatia.
Sevilla striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov hit a hat-trick and Dmitri Sychev grabbed a fourth as Russia overcame David Rodrigo's minnows 4-0 to move second in the standings - two points behind leaders Croatia.
"The three points are important, but the difference between the two sides was so big and the resistance so poor, that it is difficult to make a good assessment of the value of the game," Hiddink said.
"Ours is a young side. It is not easy to judge how the young players would do in a bigger European game, and that is now the challenge for this very ambitious, but inexperienced team.
"It will be interesting to see how we perform on Wednesday, when nobody really expects us to get a result against a Croatian team recently unbeaten at home.
"Looking at their recent performances, we'd be satisfied with a draw. What we must not do is go there anxious, and play for the draw.
"But we must also be realistic, and if we get a good result, we will be happy."
Hiddink revealed it had been his plan to hit Andorra early, but showed his frustration at some of his side's finishing:
"This game was very important. Big teams often have problems playing the smaller teams," added the Dutchman.
"One strategy of ours was to apply a lot of pressure in the first quarter of the game. I think we did that rather well and we scored two early goals.
"Andorra didn't create one chance and our goalkeeper had nothing to do. But we were a little bit sloppy. We had further chances and it could have been seven.
"The points are good, but now we have the real test on Wednesday."
"The three points are important, but the difference between the two sides was so big and the resistance so poor, that it is difficult to make a good assessment of the value of the game," Hiddink said.
"Ours is a young side. It is not easy to judge how the young players would do in a bigger European game, and that is now the challenge for this very ambitious, but inexperienced team.
"It will be interesting to see how we perform on Wednesday, when nobody really expects us to get a result against a Croatian team recently unbeaten at home.
"Looking at their recent performances, we'd be satisfied with a draw. What we must not do is go there anxious, and play for the draw.
"But we must also be realistic, and if we get a good result, we will be happy."
Hiddink revealed it had been his plan to hit Andorra early, but showed his frustration at some of his side's finishing:
"This game was very important. Big teams often have problems playing the smaller teams," added the Dutchman.
"One strategy of ours was to apply a lot of pressure in the first quarter of the game. I think we did that rather well and we scored two early goals.
"Andorra didn't create one chance and our goalkeeper had nothing to do. But we were a little bit sloppy. We had further chances and it could have been seven.
"The points are good, but now we have the real test on Wednesday."
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles

Top European clubs chasing determined Aussie starlet

Exclusive: Deni Juric says 'my whole career depends’ on Socceroos decision
