Moscow – Russia manager Fabio Capello said Monday that he considered his team to be the favourites of the 2014 World Cup Group H ahead of Belgium, South Korea and Algeria.
“Everybody is saying that Belgium are the favourites in our group, but I feel that it's Russia who are the true favourites,” Capello was quoted as saying by Sport Express daily.
“I'm pleased with the draw. But I'm pleased even more with the fact that we will play in Cuiaba, Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro,” Capello said.
“We were lucky from the logistics point of view as we have avoided playing in the northeast of Brazil where the weather is so hot and humid in summer.”
The 67-year-old Italian coach added that he would like to chose town of Campinas, which is situated not far from Sao Paulo, as his team's base for next summer's competition.
Capello said that Group H contained four strong teams and that he would not under-estimate them.
“Belgium are an excellent team consisting of young and skilled players,” he said. “We will need to find the means to cope with them.”
“Korea are also very serious opponents. My friend (Alberto) Zaccheroni, who is coaching Japan, has advised me to be very careful with them. And I'm set to study their style thoroughly.”
The former England manager said that he has the experience of playing against Algeria at the 2010 World Cup where England drew 0-0 with the African squad.
“I remember that match. It was really tough to oppose Algeria,” Capello said. “But we (England) managed to make in into the play-offs anyway.” – Sapa-AFP