MOSCOW, October 14 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will be supported by a mere 300 fans as they round up their Group 4 World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan in Baku on Wednesday evening, the Russian Football Union has said.

Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Germany means that Russia will finish second in the group and attempt to qualify for the 2010 finals in South Africa via a two-legged play-off in November. Their opponents will be decided in a draw in Zurich on Monday.

Russia's coach Guus Hiddink told Sovetski Sport that while his team had no desire to lose in Baku "all our thoughts are on November's play-offs."

"Hiddink will put out young players who want to prove themselves, "Azerbaijani coach Berti Vogts told the paper. 'If Russia still had a chance of direct qualification the match would be more interesting."

Russia beat Azerbaijan 2-0 in the corresponding fixture in Moscow.