Greece hopeful of upset over Argentina - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Greece hopeful of upset over Argentina

19/06/2010 09:54:23 AM Comments (0)

Now that Greece has earned its first World Cup win, the 2004 European champions are setting their sights on perhaps a greater challenge - beating Argentina.

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel holds no illusions about just how tough taking a point from Diego Maradona's squad will be.

"Argentina is a top-class team, far superior to Greece," the veteran German coach said. "We'll see how we face this game. But everyone knows how many high-quality players they have."

Do they ever. There's Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez - and that's just the Argentina attack.

But Greece's campaign in South Africa received a confidence boost Thursday when it beat Nigeria 2-1 with goals from striker Dimitris Salpingidis and midfielder Vassillis Torosidis. It was Greece's first victory at the World Cup.

Greece's only other appearance at the World Cup came in 1994, and it ended in disaster - with no goals and three losses, including a 4-0 rout by Argentina.

The South American team's current coach, Diego Maradona, played for the Albiceleste in that 1994 match, and scored one of the goals.

In South Africa, Greece and Argentina face off in their final Group B match in Polokwane on Tuesday. Depending on the results of the other group match between South Korea and Nigeria, a draw against Argentina may be enough for the Greeks to squeak through to the knockout round.

But even taking a point from Maradona's talented team, which won its first two matches by a combined score of 5-1, will be tough task for Greece.

And while the Greeks know it, they are relishing the shot.

"Argentina is of course the big favourite, and is a very difficult opponent for any team," Greece midfielder Costas Katsouranis said. "But we will fight and do what we can as long as we have a chance to progress."

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

0 Comments about this article

Post a comment about this article

Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.

« All sports news