MARIBOR, November 19 (RIA Novosti) - Guus...

"The failure to make the World Cup is a real blow for Russia," Marc Bennetts, author of Football Dynamo, commented. "The side"s absence in South Africa next summer could have a huge effect on the development of Russian football."

"It is not also clear what will happen to Hiddink now," he went on. "Questions will surely be asked about his tactics and team selection for both the play-offs and the qualifier against Germany."

Russia were joined in their World Cup misery by neighbors Ukraine, who lost 1-0 to Greece in Donetsk after drawing the first leg 0-0 in Athens.