Hiddink: “All credits to the Slovenians”

Obviously, he was disappointed after his team was eliminated for the World Cup, but Russia coach Guus Hiddink remained realistic after the 1-0 loss in Maribor against Slovenia.

“All credits to the Slovenians,” Hiddink said after the match. “They kept fighting for each meter and for each ball.” Alexander Kerzhakov’s red card in the 66th minute was the turning point of the match, according to Hiddink. The former Chelsea coach also referred to the late goal that Russia conceded in the first leg of the play-offs.

“That goal was crucial and we should have never conceded it but it’s useless to look back. Fact is, Russia failed to reach the World Cup.”

Hiddink gave nothing away about his future with Russia. The Dutchman, whose existing contract expires in summer 2010 following the finals, had announced towards the end of Russia’s qualifying campaign that any questions about his future would be dealt at with at a later stage.

“I have an existing contract until the end of the World Cup finals in July 2010.

“The question (of whether I will continue to Euro 2012) will require some time for thought.

“Before the matches with Germany and Slovenia the Russian Football Association (RFS) expressed their desire to continue working together.

“But we’ll talk about the future at a later stage.”