Hiddink tells Russian fans to forget WWII ahead of Germany clash

Guus Hiddink has asked supporters of the Russian national team to avoid reference to World War II as they cheer on their side in a vital World Cup qualifier against Germany in Moscow on Saturday.

MOSCOW, October 9 (RIA Novosti) - Guus Hiddink has asked supporters of the Russian national team to avoid reference to World War II as they cheer on their side in a vital World Cup qualifier against Germany in Moscow on Saturday.

Dutch trainer Hiddink, who has coached Russia since 2006, told Sport Express that there could be "no comparison" between war and football and that he wanted fans to refrain from bringing along banners on the theme of World War II to the game.

"This happened in matches between Holland and Germany in the 1960s, 1970s, and some of the 1980s," he said. 'Of course, people should know their history, including wars. But metaphors linking it to modern sport are unacceptable."

Victory at the Luzhniki on Saturday will see Andrey Arshavin and teammates leapfrog the Germans into first place in Group 4 and an automatic qualifying spot for the South Africa finals.

As with the November 2007 2-1 win over Steve McClaren's England, demand for tickets for the game has been phenomenal, with the Russian FA running a lottery to decide allocation.