Don’t blame it on Rio

Ferdinand insists that England won’t be turfed out against Russia

LONDON: Rio Ferdinand insists England won’t be affected by playing their crucial Euro 2008 clash against Russia on the Luzhniki Stadium’s artifical turf.

Steve McClaren’s side can clinch a place at next year’s European finals if they win on Wednesday, but Russia have a distinct advantage because of the surface in Moscow. McClaren has been keen not to make a fuss about the pitch, laid so matches can be played during freezing Russian winters, in case it becomes a psychological problem for his players.

But it was no surprise he ensured England trained on Arsenal’s all-weather astroturf last week to get some experience of the vageries of a non-grass pitch. Even that crash course may not prepare McClaren’s men for contesting a make or break game in such unusual conditions. Manchester United defender Ferdinand is convinced they can cope, as long as they don’t get hung up on the issue.  

“If we dwell on that I think we’ve lost the game before we go there,” he said. “If you think about it too much you will be at a disadvantage before the first whistle goes. We’ve trained on an artificial pitch already so we know what it’s all about. Hopefully we can apply ourselves and win the game in the right manner. To win we’ve got to apply ourselves right and take the negatives of the environment there with the pitch.”

Russia have to win to retain a realistic hope of overtaking England in the race to qualify from Group E. Guus Hiddink’s team are undefeated at the Luzhniki since 1999 and, as if they needed any more motivation, they will be desperate to erase the bitter memory of a 3-0 defeat at Wembley last month. While Ferdinand acknowledges Russia have the ability to hurt England, he expects his colleagues’ experience to prove decisive.

“I expect them to be more at us, to ask us a few questions,” Ferdinand said.