Fabio Capello backs "great champion" Igor Akinfeev

Russia coach Fabio Capello has backed goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev following his error during Tuesday's draw with South Korea at the World Cup.

Akinfeev saw Lee Keun-Ho's shot slip through his grasp to give the Koreans the lead before Aleksandr Kerzhakov spared his blushes by netting an equaliser with 15 minutes left.

"Goalkeepers can make mistakes like any other player, and today it happened to a great champion like Igor Akinfeev," Capello told FIFA.com. "Fortunately we were able to make up for his mistake."

Russia continue their World Cup campaign on Sunday when they play Belgium in Rio de Janeiro.