Losses to Japan and Belgium condemn Russia to a first round exit.What went wrong?
This debate is now closed. A selection of your e-mails appear below.
Russia have good technical ability backed by little skill. They need more young blood and a few individuals who can play football.
Desmond Asiedu, Ghana
The team deserved it. I say that not because I am unpatriotic, but the attitude of the players was not that of a team willing to progress to the second round and, what is more important than having the will to fight?
Romantsev should have resigned long ago, as the lack of will was chronic for the team under his coaching. I hope the federation accepts his resignation. What next? May be we should hire a foriegn specialist? That's not a shame, after all Look at England, Senegal, Japan and South Korea
MK, Russia
With the high technical promise of this side, I have been disappointed by their inept performances. Since the break up of Soviet Russia, they have not been able to impose themselves on the world stage as they did in the days of Yashin and co.
Bobby Seagull, England
Russia is a country abundant in talent and promise. Another Perestroika is clearly required in the footballing ranks.
George Robinson, England
I am not surprised that Russia joined Argentina and France on the next available flight back home. They neglected their opponents so much. I wish Portugal a safe journey back home this evening too.
Victor, Nigerian in Estonia
Sychev is the only big hope of Russia now. After this, perhaps Karpin, Mostavoi and Onopko will retire. Hopefully Rolan Gusev and other talented players will be recalled by a new coach who doesn't want to impose his dictatorship on the team.
Tran, Vietnam
Russia lacked the will and inspiration to fight to the end and qualify for the next round. Many players are now going to retire from the National team, but this is not bad! We have many promising young players, such as Sychev. Keep spirits up, Russia!
Ilya Oskin, Russia
Once again Russia have failed on the big stage. It seems the players did not want success enough. Maybe next time...?
Dominic Stiles, England
I was amazed by Russia's approach to this match. Playing only one guy up front against a novice team like Japan! What on earth would they do if they faced a Brazil or Spain? Russia deserved to lose with such cowardly tactics.
Wayne, Russia
I do not understand why all those Russians rioted in Moscow just because Russia lost to Japan! Losing to Japan is no humiliation, especially when they are World Cup hosts, and Russia are far from out of the World Cup.
Kelly Goon, Wales
It was a welcome result for Japanese football supporters, but Russia are still a candidate for the final, having a lot of offensive power. The succession of failed shoots in the second half seemed to come from the loss of concentration. The Japanese climate might be another negative factor for them.
Mochi,Japan
The inconsistency of our team is amazing. They lose to Japan after drawing with France a couple of months ago. They need a young coach who will build the team around players such as Karpin, Titov, and Mostovoi.
Grisha Loskutov, Russia
Why does Romantsev continue to play those defenders? Their distribution is terrible, they are slow, and they are often caught out of position. Onopko, Nikifirov and Kovtun may have been good in 1994/5, but they are well past it now. Eric, UK
The Russians got what they played for. They didn't go out to win and of course they didn't come close to winning.
Johnny, Russia
Defence is the weakest link and it is central defenders who can be blamed for the goal.
Alexander, Russia
The players seem to do on the pitch exactly the opposite to what nine out of ten players from other teams would do in a given situation. In a position when say a Brazilian player would shoot, the Russian passes the ball back and the other way round. By doing so the Russians confuse the opposition - but most all themselves.
Alexander Zhabin,UK
Russia's playing is clumsy and boring to watch. Look at the Japanese and Koreans, they are new kids on the block, but they put their hearts in it. Did you notice how fast the Japanese were playing, what fierce passion was displayed in their game?!
Georgii Loskutov, Russia
They are technically gifted as ever, strong and methodical, but there's a certain passion missing. Nice passing, no penetration and lacking a certain physical presence.
Conor Doyle, Ireland
Russia are very much like England in that they have some superb players and a good team spirit but often look as though they are affected by the immense pressure of expectations from home.
Nick, UK
