However, recent results have been encouraging for fans: Russian Federation played 3: 3 with Belgium, defeated 0: 3 Hungary, as well as the fight ended in a draw with Chile - 1: 1. Right back Alexander Samedov provided the assist with a square ball across the face of goal, and Fedor Smolov was in ideal position at the far post to poke it into the back of the net.
Putin had also asked the players to perform like warriors, though they hardly needed to be war-like in dispatching No. 95 New Zealand, which seemed to find the world stage too big.
Federation Internationale de Football Association clearly believe there could be a racism problem, because for the first time they have given referees at this tournament the right to stop or abandon games if there is persistent abuse towards players.
"We are the absolute outsiders among the eight teams", Cherchesov said.
Group A rivals Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, and Mexico meet in Kazan on Sunday, with Russia's next game against the Portuguese in Moscow on Wednesday.
The European champions conceded an injury-time equaliser to draw 2-2 with Mexico in what was a highly entertaining finish to a good game in their tournament opener.
Germany face Copa America title-holders Chile, 2015 Asian Cup champions Australia, and this year's Africa Cup of Nations winners Cameroon in Group B. The first warning sign for New Zealand came in the seventh minute when Michael McGlinchley was forced to hack off the line after Viktor Vasin's header came back off the inside of the post.
JK CM pays homage to cop murdered by lynch mob
Police said the mob then caught hold of the pistol-borne man identified as DySP Mohammad Ayub Pandit and beat him up ruthlessly. After the incident, police and paramilitary forces cordoned off the gates to the Jama Masjid mosque, Greater Kashmir reports.
The game itself was an open contest with plenty of chances, most of which fell to Russian Federation - clearly the better side throughout.
Dmitri Poloz set up the chance with a through ball to Denis Glushakov, who tried to chip All Whites goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic.
Ipswich's Tommy Smith was then on hand to keep Russian Federation at bay as the defender cleared Dmitry Poloz's effort.
After this match, New Zealand are now without a win in 10 Confed Cup matche.
"When the president of our country comes out to make a speech it mobilises us and gives us great motivation, but it also adds to our responsibilities", he said after the match.
"The first game for us is Russian Federation, so we're going to go into that game with a gameplan of wanting to win that game". The president prefers ice hockey and saw a team that carried fervent hopes of an Olympic title lose on home ice in the quarterfinals at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
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