Pahars joins San Marino party

Latvia have included Marians Pahars in their squad to face San Marino in next Wednesday’s UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier in Riga.

Injury problems
The Southampton FC striker has been blighted by injuries for nearly a year, having missed the whole of pre-season with a hernia operation and then needing ankle surgery in January. He last played in November when Latvia beat San Marino 1-0, thanks to a last-gasp own goal, in their previous Group 4 meeting.

'Good atmosphere'
Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs has selected Pahars in a 25-man squad because of the positive impact of the striker's presence on the rest of his players. "We would like to keep the good atmosphere in our collective and Marians is one of the most important members," Starkovs said.

Fully prepared
In Pahars’ absence, 22-year-old FHK Liepajas Metalurgs forward Kristaps Grebis may make his first appearance for the national team. Whoever is selected, Starkovs is adamant his team will be fully prepared for the match.

Sammarinese worries
"We remember how much trouble San Marino caused us in our previous meetings," Starkovs said. "Let me mention the game against them that ended 1-1 in Riga [a FIFA World Cup qualifier in April 2001] and cost the job of my predecessor [English coach Gary Johnson]. We then won our last match in San Marino thanks to a goal in added time. We do not want to repeat mistakes from the past."

Sitting pretty
Latvia are currently sitting proud at the top of qualifying Group 4 with seven points from their three games, while San Marino are yet to earn a point. A win for Latvia would see them go three points clear of second-placed Poland.

Latvia squad
Kolinko, Piedels, Vanins, Krucs, Zemlinskis, Lobanevs, Isakovs, Stepanovs, Blagonadezdins, Zirnis, Astafjevs, Lajzans, Blejdelis, Rubins, Kolesnicenko,  Zavoronkovs, Pucinskis, Verpakovskis, Stolcers, Dobrecovs, Grebis, Miholaps, Prohorenkovs, Rimkus, Pahars.