Latvia coach looks to Zigajevs

Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs has called up FK Riga winger Jurijs Zigajevs for the first time for the friendly against Moldova on 22 August.

Preparations
Zigajevs, 21, had been tipped for a call-up for the Riga fixture after an impressive season so far. Starkovs will use the game to prepare for the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Spain in September. Latvia, finalists at UEFA EURO 2004™, are bottom of Group F with three points from six games.

Latvia squad
Goalkeepers: Andrejs Piedels (Skonto FC), Aleksandrs Kolinko (FC Rubin Kazan).

Defenders: Igors Stepanovs (Esbjerg fB), Deniss Ivanovs (FHK Liepajas Metalurgs), Kaspars Gorkss (Blackpool FC), Oskars Klava (FHK Liepajas Metalurgs), Deniss Kacanovs (FK Ventspils), Dzintars Zirnis (FHK Liepajas Metalurgs), Pavels Surnins (FHK Liepajas Metalurgs).

Midfielders: Vitalijs Astafjevs (Skonto FC), Jurijs Laizans (FC Kuban Krasnodar), Imants Bleidelis (FHK Liepajas Metalurgs), Andrei Pereplyotkin (Skonto FC), Aleksandrs Cauna (Skonto FC), Aleksejs Višnakovs (Skonto FC), Genadijs Solonicins (FHK Liepajas Metalurgs), Andrejs Rubins (FHK Liepajas Metalurgs), Jurijs Zigajevs (FK Riga).

Forwards: Maris Verpakovskis (HNK Hajduk Split), Girts Karlsons (FHK Liepajas Metalurgs), Vits Rimkus (FK Ventspils).