The Zenit St. Petersburg goalkeeper has admitted that he needs to work very hard in order to get more first team action ahead of the European tournament.
Zenit St. Petersburg goalkeeper, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vyacheslav-Malafeev-c36502, is one of the three shot-stoppers that d**k Advocaat, the manager, has selected for the upcoming Euro 2012.
However, the 33-year-old will face stiff competition from CSKA Moscow’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Anton-Shunin-c6283.
The former PSV-Eindhoven manager has announced the final Russian national team squad after their first friendly match against Uruguay national team at Lokomotiv stadium on Friday.
The Meshki goalkeeper, who had failed to represent his country in Euros previously, started the first friendly match against the Olympic Sky Blue at Moscow.
However, he will have to wait for his next chance as Advocaat is set to play Akinfeev in the upcoming friendly game against Lithuania ahead of the continental tournament.
Malafeev has expressed his delight after he was named alongside top Russian goalkeepers. However, he remains optimistic of getting more first team chances in the European tournament.
He has expressed his desire to claim more first team action and assured the fans of working hard in order to help his national side.
“Competition in the team is determined by the game in the club. I think we have come to work together rather than to compete. Speaking objectively, Igor has been the best Russian goalie in recent years. It will be very difficult
to compete. But I will work harder, exercise, to prove that I deserve a game. I will wait for my chance.”
“I will try to bring something to my national team if I had to go on the field in case of force majeure. I need to stay calm and consistent. At my age nobody wants to sit on the bench.” The UEFA Super Cup winner was quoted as saying.
Malafeev has insisted that the entire squad trusts their manager, conceding that they will respect his decision at any given time. The Russian goalkeeper has blasted his critics and assured the fans of meeting their expectations
in Euros.
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