Russia coach Guus Hiddink doesn’t expect his team to qualify for the 2008 European Championship if it doesn’t beat Macedonia in Wednesday’s qualifier.

Macedonia and England have played four games in Group E for seven points, the same as Croatia and Israel, which have played a game less. Russia is fifth with five points from three games.

“We have to win,” Hiddink said. “If we want to get out of this group, then we need three points. There simply is not and cannot be any other choice for us. Macedonia, like the other teams from the former Yugoslavia, is a hard nut to crack.”

Sergei Ignashevich has been ruled out of Russia’s team with a leg injury.

“It is an absolute loss for us — Ignashevich is one of the strongest defenders,” teammate Yegor Titov said.

Macedonia won 3-0 at Andorra and drawn 0-0 at England in its last two qualifiers, but coach Srecko Katanec urged the crowd at Gradski Stadium to be patient with his team on Wednesday.

“The support from the stands is important and could help us win,” he said. “But we shouldn’t be in a rush to score or feel pressure from the home fans.”

Katanec, who has called up midfielder Vlatko Grozdanovski, rates Russia highly.

“They are fast and young,” Katanec said. “We’ll really have to concentrate in this match.”

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