Moras is Rehhagel’s sole concern
The national soccer team’s preparations for its World Cup opener against South Korea on Saturday in South Africa have entered the final stretch, with an injury to defender Vangelis Moras the only worry for manager Otto Rehhagel. The Bologna center-back is fighting a battle against time in his recovery, as he was likely to be in the German manager’s starting lineup. Fellow central defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos took a knock during training yesterday in the city of Durban, but he has been cleared to take part in today’s session. More than 500 Greece fans attended the open session yesterday, with right-back Giourkas Seitaridis stressing the importance of their support: «We want as many fans as possible on our side. Wherever the national team plays, it wants its fans and their support,» he said, before pledging that the team will be as ready as possible on Saturday. «I do not know how ready we’ll be for Saturday’s game, but we will work as hard as possible. We will try in training to correct our errors in tactics and I believe that on Saturday we will be as good as possible,» said the Panathinaikos fullback. Goalkeeper Costas Chalkias added that «it is already a great success that we are here. We want to enjoy the tournament, play without stress and produce the game we know we can play. From then on, anything else will be further success.» Reports from South Africa suggest that the players are very focused on their training and have shown a singular determination to improve as a team. Greece’s first game in the tournament kicks off at 2.30 p.m. Greek time on Saturday, in Port Elizabeth.
