MOSCOW, October 7 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian soccer team needs a convincing victory over Luxemburg in a 2006 World Cup qualifier Saturday to give it a chance to make it to the play-offs.
Russia is in third place in Group 3 on goal difference behind Slovakia, with both teams on 19 points before the remaining two matches.
If both teams are equal on points before the last final group match in Bratislava on October 12, goal difference will be the key to advancing play-offs for the remaining three berths to Germany. Russia currently trails Slovakia by eight goals, but if Slovakia does not win in Estonia, a draw in Bratislava would be enough for Russia.
Both team captain Alexey Smertin and defender Yevgeny Aldonin are disqualified for the Luxembourg match. Defender Vadim Yevseyev has undergone a knee operation and winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov is unlikely to play due to a back problem.
The match will kickoff at Moscow's Lokomotiv stadium at 7 p.m. local time (3 p.m. GMT).
