'Home' players dominate Russia's squad

MOSCOW (AP):

Creative midfielder Alan Dzagoev and Villarreal winger Denis Cheryshev have been confirmed in Russia's final 23-man squad for the World Cup.

All but two of the squad play for Russian clubs, with the exceptions being Cheryshev and reserve goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov, who plays for Brugge in Belgium.

The naturalised German defenders Roman Neustaedter and Konstantin Rausch failed to make the cut from a provisional 28-man list, but Brazil-born right-back Mario Fernandes is included.

Without a win in their last six friendlies, Russia could struggle for goals in Group A against Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay. Just getting out of the group is likely to be considered a success for Russia, who lost 1-0 to Austria on Wednesday and have a final friendly tomorrow at home to Turkey.

The 38-year-old centre-back Sergei Ignashevich will be one of the oldest players at the World Cup after coming out of international retirement for one last tournament. He's still seven years younger than Egypt's goalkeeper Essam el-Hadary, who can become the oldest player to take the field at a World Cup.

Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev captains the team and is one of four survivors from the Russian squad which reached the European Championship semifinals in 2008.