Capello sets Russia World Cup quarter-final target

Fabio Capello attends a Russian squad training session Fabio Capello said Thursday he wants his Russia team to make the quarter-final stage at next year's World Cup in Brazil. The 67-year-old Italian coach has led Russia into its first World Cup finals since 2002, the team finishing atop their European qualifying group one point ahead of fancied Portugal.
"Russia are a dangerous team for anyone," the RIA-Novosti news agency quoted Capello as saying.
"Their absence from the World Cup has increased their appetite a great deal. I think our level is the top eight of the event.
"Let's say that I want my team to reach the quarter-finals," he added.
In the new FIFA rankings that were announced Thursday Russia fell four places down to 19th in the world.
That means Russia will not be among the seeded teams for the 32-team competition next summer and will face at least one of the world's top teams in the group stage.
Source: AFP