please log in to view this image Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá 23:00 BST please log in to view this image Russia are ready for their first World Cup game since 2002 as they prepare to complete the first round of Group fixtures against the joint hosts that year - South Korea. Russia defender Vasili Berezutski believes his side have a point to prove as they aim to make up for being dumped out of the tournament in the group stages 12 years ago. Now led by former England manager Fabio Capello, they managed to finish first ahead of Portugal in qualifying by playing an exciting brand of attacking football. 31-year-old Berezutski, who has 78 caps to his name, has paid tribute to the impact Capello has made since taking over back in July 2012. "We have things to prove in this World Cup," Berezutski told FIFA.com. "It's been 12 years since Russia have participated in the World Cup so our objective is to play more than three games, try to qualify from our group and after that we will see. "Capello demands discipline and it's a good thing because everyone is working hard, giving 100 per cent in every session. "On the other hand, nobody knows us from outside as everybody plays in the domestic competition." Russia suffered a blow earlier this month when it emerged that captain Roman Shirokov would miss the showpiece event due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, South Korea midfielder Ki Sung-yeung is hoping that his side will be able to emulate the exploits of the 2002 World Cup side by progressing past the group stages. The Taegeuk Warriors are coached by Hong Myung-bo, a former sweeper who led the South Koreans to their best World Cup finish in 2002, knocking out Italy and Spain en route to a fourth-placed finish. Facing tough competition from the Russians and a highly-rated Belgium side, Tuesday's match at Cuiaba could go a long way in determining the outcome of the group. Ki Sung-yeung said: "We have a good memory from the last World Cup because we qualified through the group stage. So we also want to qualify in this one as well." "But it's not easy - it's going to be tough. We will suffer from every single game." Paul Merson's prediction The problem with Russia is that it’s usually -25c over there – we talk about us worrying about the weather, but how are they going to cope with it? This is a really weird group because everyone seems to think Belgium and Russia are going to breeze through it and you go from there. I don’t think that will be the case, I think there will be a couple of shocks along the way. PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
Hope Yun puts in a performance tonight and goes up and down all night like I'd like to on that Russian bird!
Korea to win, just a hunch. Son will light up the match and win it for the Asians. Might have to change my prediction.
Yes, I'm really looking forward to seeing Yun play and hopefully have a good game, that we all know he is capable of. Regarding the Russian bird, my wife has been away in Quebec City on a business trip, and is driving home later this evening, a day early, sick apparently, so I don't I'll be getting too much of that up & down action tonight - might just have to settle for sloppy seconds with your Russian - in my dreams that is!
Familiar faces? http://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/27442872 South Korea have QPR left-back Yun Suk-young in the side, along with Arsenal striker Park Chu-young up front, Bolton winger Lee Chung-yong and Sunderland midfielder Ki Sung-yueng.
please log in to view this image BBC: It's a cracking haircut from referee Nestor Pitana, it really is Dave. David: Wasn't sure if this match would be worth staying up for, but the ref's outrageous combover has already vindicated my decision.
Korea have bags of possession, but for all their nifty passing around they never seem to put the ball into the Russian box, where a goal scoring opportunity, og, might happen.
A shame the Korean players have been asked to play so conservatively, Yun's best when he's bombing down the wing
Apparently Fabio Capello is the highest-paid coach at the World Cup, raking in £6.7m a year in charge of Russia. It's also his 68th birthday on Wednesday. So you can open a can for him in 45 minutes if you are in the UK, but he will have to wait a few hours yet over in Brazil... Does he get shipped to the Gulag if they fail to get out of their qualifying group? His current contract runs through to the Russia 2018 World Cup, when he will be 72. Before he came to us, wasn't Harry threatening to take that Russian job? http://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/27442872
