Dick Advocaat to quit if Russia fail to qualify for Euro 2012

Dick Advocaat said Tuesday he will quit if Russia fail to qualify for the Euro 2012 soccer championship. Asked about the future make-up of the team if it falls short of the Euro 2012 finals, Advocaat said: "That's the responsibility of a different coach. My contract will end." Advocaat signed a four-year deal with the Russian Football Union in 2010 after coaching Belgium and Dutch club side AZ Alkmaar. Although he brought up the possibility that his 17-month stint with Russia might end, it would be some feat for Russia to fail to make the Euro 2012 finals. They are top of Group B with 17 points, and need to win in Slovakia on Friday to all-but guarantee a place in next year's tournament in Ukraine and Poland. If Russia draw, they can still qualify by beating Andorra at home in the final game next Tuesday. A defeat in Zilina on Friday could allow the Slovakians, Ireland or even Armenia to sneak the automatic spot ahead of Russia. The runners-up enter a playoff against a second-placed team from another group. That's unless the runners-up have the best record from all eight groups, which is possible in Russia's case. Advocaat doesn't want to leave it to chance, though. "We are the group favorites, we are in first place," Advocaat said. "But the main thing is that we're in first place on Tuesday." Most of Advocaat's squad remember a demoralizing 1-0 defeat to Slovenia in a playoff to make the 2010 World Cup finals, and are eager to avoid a repeat scenario. The squad this time round has two potential debutants: Dynamo winger Aleksandr Samedov, and Rubin Kazan forward Vladimir Dyadyun, who replaces the injured Aleksandr Kerzhakov.