National soccer team shaping up, ready for 2004
In its latest friendly international as part of preparations ahead of the Euro 2004 qualifiers, Greece, playing well below full strength, was limited to a scoreless draw at home by the Czech Republic on Wednesday night, but once again showed encouraging signs of improvement. German coach Otto Rehhagel had taken over a seemingly depleted and overtly undisciplined Greek national side last summer, toward the end of the team’s failed World Cup qualifying quest, when Greece was no longer in contention for this summer’s finals in Japan and South Korea. Besides bringing respectable results, including a 2-2 away draw against a dead-serious English side seeking at least a draw for its World Cup finals berth in a last-round qualifier – England had trailed until the game’s dying stages – Rehhagel seems to have introduced two rare qualities to Greek national sides of recent years; discipline and cohesion. On Wednesday night, Rehhagel opted to field a lesser side, possibly for two reasons: one, the German’s intent to continue scrutinizing his available manpower and its combinations, and the other, this Saturday’s do-or-die league encounter between the competition’s two top-placed sides, front runner AEK and Olympiakos. Two rounds before the season’s end, AEK is three points ahead of the defending champion. Despite Rehhagel’s decision to select what was generally viewed as a lesser side, Greece, which never hit top gear, did prove to be a solid team, especially in defense, against an opponent that appeared dangerous on the counterattack. On several occasions, goalie Antonis Nikopolidis was severely tested, while the Czechs struck the bar once, in the 55th minute. Greece increased the pressure during the clash’s final 15 minutes, coming close to scoring twice with Zissis Vryzas and Yiannis Goumas. Greece jumped five places to 54th in the latest monthly world rankings produced by FIFA, soccer’s international federation. As for the national team’s four group opponents for the upcoming Euro 2004 qualifiers, Spain is ranked seventh, Ukraine 45th, Ireland 91st, and Armenia 99th. France, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia make up the ranking system’s top four, in the listed order.
