“We are not going there on holiday. This is our third World Cup appearance and we want to make it to the next stage for the first time,” said Greece coach Fernando Santos of the team’s impending World Cup campaign.
There is a positive atmosphere in Greece’s campaign for the World Cup in June.
Kostas Mitroglou will be a risky asset, as the star striker has just begun with his EPL club Fulham after battling injury.
Many are saying that the team will be relying on the ‘Mitrogoal’ to get that competitive edge on their Group C opponents.
Although Greece outranks its opponents, Group C contains physically strong teams from South America and Africa. Greece will play Colombia, Ivory Coast and Asian Champions Japan, which will have quite a competitive edge.
There is no clear group favourite and Greece’s trademark rock-solid defence, which let in just four goals in 10 qualifiers, will again serve as their strongest asset.
Most eyes now will be on Kostas Mitroglou getting back to fitness and showing a weary Santos he’s up for selection.
The forward was not a favourite of former Greece coach Otto Rehhagel and even the first few years under current boss Fernando Santos were difficult.
His speculative $12 million price-tag has been a point of issue at club Fulham, as the star hasn’t been able to show his worth since his move from Olympiakos.
Fulham boss Felix Magath says the investment will be worth it in the long run.
“If you buy a player like Mitroglou, you are not just thinking about having him for a few weeks but for the long term, so it is not a mistake.”
Mitroglou has only started once for Fulham since his move while nursing a knee-injury.
His goals are likely to spell the difference for Greece between a spot in the next stage or a short stay in Brazil.
Forward Dimitris Salpingidis is of the same vein and believes the only way to progress is to score big.
“We have the quality to score at any point. To win, you have to score goals,” he says
“It won’t be easy, but we can do it.”
Greece will play a last minute friendly against Portugal on May 31.
Source: Reuters
