Russian coach out as Belgium go through

Oleg Romantsev today quit as Russia's head coach following his team's failure to qualify for the second round.

Romantsev resigned following a 40-minute behind-closed-doors meeting with fellow coaches Mikhail Gershkovich and Sergi Pavlov, who have also walked.

However, Romantsev's departure will not be confirmed until he meets next week with the president of the Football Union of Russia, Viacheslav Koloskov.

Veteran defender Viktor Onopko, who won his 100th cap for Russia against Belgium, apologised to the Russian people. He said: "I would like to apologise to the people of Russia for our failure to qualify for the second round. The president had called us before the game to wish us luck, but in the end this loss is now a tragedy."

Belgium coach Robert Waseige, meanwhile, hit back at critics today following his side's qualification for the last 16.

Goals in the final 12 minutes from substitute Wesley Sonck and captain Marc Wilmots saw off Russia, setting up a second-round clash with Brazil in Kobe on Monday.

Waseige said: "We are really happy that this is not a team that you can throw away like they claimed back home. We have five points and have scored six goals, so I am very happy with my team."