Sochi: Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, who saved two penalties to carry his team past Spain and into the World Cup last eight stage, has not been practicing spot-kicks with his teammates, he said, Thursday.
The Muscovite twice denied Spain from the spot, Sunday, and one of the saves were kicking away Iago Aspas’s final shot to help his team win the shootout 4-3 following a 1-1 draw.
“We definitely have not trained in it (penalties) on a consistent basis,” Akinfeev told reporters at their base on the outskirts of Moscow. ‘We had thought of beating Spain in regulation time only and not have to go to penalties. But when it came along, I was ready,” he added.
We have never laid emphasis on spot-kicks because we believe that we can win games in regulation time. If it (penalties) come along, I will be ready for it”
Igor Akinfeev
Akinfeev asserted that the hosts have the quality to beat Croatia, but added it will be difficult game again. “We have to concentrate very hard for this game. We have to forget the past including the win against Spain. What we did was create history, but now we have the opportunity of rewriting it again,” Akinfeev pointed out.
“This tournament has shown that we are sincere in what we are doing, and that is why it is going so well so far. But we have to fight continuously,” added the shotstopper.
Russia’s win over the 2010 World Champions has boosted their confidence. It is the first time in the post-Soviet era that Russia have reached a World Cup quarterfinal.
“It is no secret that each victory adds to confidence,” midfielder Yuri Gazinsky told reporters. “Especially the victory over Spain. I think that the country believed in us and those that had doubts, we have proved them wrong. So we will go ahead and try and create another new miracle.”