MOSCOW, October 19 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will have to overcome Slovenia to reach the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, following Monday's draw for the playoffs.

Russia will play a home match on November 14, and away on November 18.

Slovenia, who last reached the finals in 2002, have put in a series of strong defensive performances during their qualification campaign, conceding just four goals, fewer than only the Netherlands.

However, Guus Hiddink's Russian side will be relieved to have avoided neighbors Ukraine, who will meet Greece in the playoffs.

Russia qualified for the playoffs after finishing second behind Germany in Group 4. Hiddink is hoping to bring his fourth national team to the World Cup, having previously led impressive campaigns with the Netherlands in 1998, South Korea in 2002, and Australia in 2006.

France, runners-up at the last World Cup, will face a tough test against the Republic of Ireland, while Portugal will play Bosnia.

The global football body FIFA has been strongly criticized for seeding the playoffs, meaning that Russia, France, Greece and Portugal could not face each other. Several countries, notably Ireland, have said the decision was unfair on the smaller nations.

Ireland's coach, Giovanni Trapattoni, called the seeding "the death of football."