Greece coach Otto Rehhagel has urged his players to play "beyond their limits" if they want to claim a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup by defeating Ukraine in their two-legged play-off.
The 2004 European Champions host Alexei Mikhailichenko's team at the Olympic Stadium in Athens tomorrow before travelling to Donetsk for the return four days later with a place in South Africa at stake. "We have to be disciplined and be fully concentrated," said the 71-year-old German, who, despite some key absences, is happy with the mood in his camp.
"We don't have the luxury of being able to call on all of our players as we have some key men missing such as [Giourkas] Seitaridis and [Vasilis] Torosidis. But I have confidence in all my squad. I believe always that which I see and I'm glad my players are showing self-confidence. But we will see how we will play when the time comes. They have to go out on the pitch, show their skills and play beyond their limits."
Rehhagel, whose team earned their play-off spot by virtue of victories over Latvia and Luxembourg in their final two Group 2 qualifiers, is boosted by the return to fitness of striker Angelos Charisteas. The Nurnberg frontman is likely to team up with Theofanis Gekas, the top scorer in qualifying with 10 goals, and Celtic's Giorgos Samaras in Greece's attacking triumvirate.
The 2004 European Champions host Alexei Mikhailichenko's team at the Olympic Stadium in Athens tomorrow before travelling to Donetsk for the return four days later with a place in South Africa at stake. "We have to be disciplined and be fully concentrated," said the 71-year-old German, who, despite some key absences, is happy with the mood in his camp.
"We don't have the luxury of being able to call on all of our players as we have some key men missing such as [Giourkas] Seitaridis and [Vasilis] Torosidis. But I have confidence in all my squad. I believe always that which I see and I'm glad my players are showing self-confidence. But we will see how we will play when the time comes. They have to go out on the pitch, show their skills and play beyond their limits."
Rehhagel, whose team earned their play-off spot by virtue of victories over Latvia and Luxembourg in their final two Group 2 qualifiers, is boosted by the return to fitness of striker Angelos Charisteas. The Nurnberg frontman is likely to team up with Theofanis Gekas, the top scorer in qualifying with 10 goals, and Celtic's Giorgos Samaras in Greece's attacking triumvirate.
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