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ENGLAND v CROATIA - HIDDINK NOT LOOKING FOR EXCUSES
Russia coach Guus Hiddink concedes England will have deserved to reach Euro 2008 if they finish above his side in Group E.
England need at least a draw at home to leaders Croatia tonight to ensure a place in the finals in Austria and Switzerland at Russia's expense.
Hiddink mocked McClaren's tactics after Russia beat England in last month's crucial qualifier in Moscow, but their defeat in Israel on Saturday has put Steve McClaren's side back in charge.
Russia must now beat Andorra in their final qualifier and hope England slip up to progress.
"I have nothing against England," Dutch coach Hiddink said. "If England finish in the top two places then they will deserve to be there.
"I am not going to come out and say that England shouldn't be there because if they qualify then it will be because they have done better than us. That is fair."
Hiddink claims his side would only have themselves to blame for failing to qualify after letting their chance slip in Tel Aviv.
He said: "I'm very realistic, we were in command and had to make it happen. If we don't make it through I will regret it, but I won't complain about England getting through."
However, the former Holland, South Korea and Australia coach has not given up hope and has challenged Croatia to come up with a big performance at Wembley.
"There is still hope for us," he said. "The Croatian team suffered defeat in Macedonia and their pride will mean they won't want to let that happen twice.
"I am sure they will put on a very good performance. When you play at Wembley, the atmosphere is terrific.
"They [Croatia] have experience form several World Cups, they will give their utmost, they won't play in a relaxed way."
Nevertheless, Hiddink says he is focused on his own side and has called for a reaction from his players in Andorra following Saturday's last-gasp defeat in Israel.
He said: "As sportsmen you have always to react and that is what we have to do. We need to show we are men, real men, in this game.
"When you are in big teams, you never allow two defeats in a row. In top teams, players don't allow it from themselves or their colleagues, that's the reaction of top players and we need that."
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
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