Post by Taxigirl on Nov 15, 2003 11:19:33 GMT
stand on the verge of history.
Igors Stepanovs and Latvia are on the verge of history. The Baltic nation has never qualified for a major tournament, but that could all change by Wednesday night.
Latvia face Turkey in a two-legged play-off for a place at the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal. The teams meet in Riga on Saturday before locking horns in Istanbul four days later.
On paper it appears to be a mismatch. Turkey have emerged as a major footballing power in Europe and finished third at the World Cup last year, while Latvia are relative novices on the international stage.
Few are giving Latvia a chance, but Arsenal defender Stepanovs and his compatriots are no stranger to shock results having dished out a number of upsets during the group stage.
Latvia held Sweden in their first game, won in Poland and snatched a 1-0 win against Sweden in Solna last month to secure second place and a play-off berth.
The presence of Tony Adams, Martin Keown and now Sol Campbell have limited Stepanovs' first-team chances in three years at Highbury. However, in that time he has barely put a foot wrong for his country.
With Stepanovs at the hub of their defence, Latvia conceded just six goals in eight qualifying matches and none at all in their first four group games.
Two more diligent displays from Latvia's defence could secure them a place in history, and goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko has no doubt about the magnitude of the two games against Turkey.
"These games are more than simply important for all the players and the history of Latvian football," he said. "Nothing like this has happened to our country before.
"But we can be successful. No one is expecting us to win, while Turkey are under pressure to make it to Portugal. We have nothing to lose and this is our chance."
Latvia will be encouraged by the news that Turkey will be without injured trio Alpay, Sergen Yalcin and Yildiray Basturk for the first leg in Riga.
Igors Stepanovs and Latvia are on the verge of history. The Baltic nation has never qualified for a major tournament, but that could all change by Wednesday night.
Latvia face Turkey in a two-legged play-off for a place at the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal. The teams meet in Riga on Saturday before locking horns in Istanbul four days later.
On paper it appears to be a mismatch. Turkey have emerged as a major footballing power in Europe and finished third at the World Cup last year, while Latvia are relative novices on the international stage.
Few are giving Latvia a chance, but Arsenal defender Stepanovs and his compatriots are no stranger to shock results having dished out a number of upsets during the group stage.
Latvia held Sweden in their first game, won in Poland and snatched a 1-0 win against Sweden in Solna last month to secure second place and a play-off berth.
The presence of Tony Adams, Martin Keown and now Sol Campbell have limited Stepanovs' first-team chances in three years at Highbury. However, in that time he has barely put a foot wrong for his country.
With Stepanovs at the hub of their defence, Latvia conceded just six goals in eight qualifying matches and none at all in their first four group games.
Two more diligent displays from Latvia's defence could secure them a place in history, and goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko has no doubt about the magnitude of the two games against Turkey.
"These games are more than simply important for all the players and the history of Latvian football," he said. "Nothing like this has happened to our country before.
"But we can be successful. No one is expecting us to win, while Turkey are under pressure to make it to Portugal. We have nothing to lose and this is our chance."
Latvia will be encouraged by the news that Turkey will be without injured trio Alpay, Sergen Yalcin and Yildiray Basturk for the first leg in Riga.
