Russia coach Guus Hiddink feels ‘naïve defending’ cost Russia dearly, in their 4-1 opening game loss to Spain.

David Villa put three in the net and Cesc Fabregas scored the fourth as the European powerhouse dismantled Russia and left Hiddink fuming.

"If you saw the second and fourth goals - some school teams do not commit those errors. We were rather naive in some situations. We were given a lesson in counter-attacking" said Hiddink.

The Russians did defend rather poorly, especially while conceding the 2^nd and 4^th goal. The Russians lost possession at the corner flag and Villa punished them, scoring his second. Also, Cesc Fabregas was completely unmarked to head in the fourth goal.

Hiddink said, "The lesson is that we are playing well and created some chances but we were caught out because of our naivety and then got punished." 

Hiddink, who has never failed to reach the knockout stages of a major tournament, remains confident about Russia’s chances.

"At the end in the dressing room, I said this is a tournament of three games. I hope the team can and will react." 

"We were weak defensively - we were not streetwise - but with a young team it can happen and we hope to learn very fast."

Russia still have to play Greece and Sweden in Euro 2008, and one feels that six points will be needed from them to help Russia qualify.