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By Gennady Fyodorov
MOSCOW, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Russian media on Thursday hailed Dutch coach Guus Hiddink for masterminding Russia's historic 2-1 win over England in their Euro 2008 Group E qualifier that kept alive their chances of reaching next year's finals.
"Hiddink's masterpiece with the fantastic ending," wrote the daily Sovietsky Sport in reference to their inspired performance at a sold-out 84,000 Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday night.
"The painting by the Dutch master," was the verdict by the other national sports newspaper, Sport-Express, comparing Hiddink to the famous Dutch painters of the 17th century.
In his column, former Russia goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov wrote that Hiddink outsmarted his English counterpart Steve McClaren by changing tactics in the second half after the Russians had fallen behind to Wayne Rooney's stunning goal.
The Dutchman's master stroke was to bring on striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, who scored two goals in four minutes to turn the game around and secure a dramatic come-from-behind victory.
It was Russia's first home victory over England in their 49-year history in international competition.
It was also Russia's first win over a major soccer power since June 1999 when they came from a goal down to beat world champions France 3-2 at the Stade de France in a Euro 2000 qualifier.
The victory also marked a personal milestone for Hiddink, who had not beaten an English team as coach in nine previous attempts at club and international level.
"I'm very proud of tonight's win, not so much for myself but for the team and my staff," said Hiddink, who has just agreed a new two-year contract with Russia until 2010.
"Well, we're just lucky to have Guus," Rossiiskaya Gazeta, the official newspaper of the Russian government, said as it summed up the feelings of the players.
