SPORTS

Greece still eyes direct passage to World Cup finals

The Greek national soccer team had its first training session on Monday in Athens ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Latvia on September 6 and 10 respectively, with goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis saying that the players are still eyeing the top spot in the group that secures direct qualification to the finals in Brazil.

Asked whether Greece is still hoping for group leader Bosnia Herzegovina to drop points, the Granada keeper said “the top spot is always the target. We have four games left, and since nothing has been decided mathematically we are hoping for a Bosnian slip-up, though what is paramount is for us to make it four out of four.”

“The aim in the match at Liechtenstein is for victory and the three points. If many goals are to come as well, that would be nice, but our primary target is victory,” he added.

Striker Dimitris Papadopoulos, who has returned to the national squad after six years, was not present in the first session on Monday as he was allowed to play with his club, Atromitos, against Aris for the league.

On Tuesday Greece will have two training sessions.

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