Latvia call on Nalivaiko
Thursday, May 16, 2002
Article summary
Latvia will face Finland in Helsinki on 22 May with one new face in Dmitrijs Nalivaiko.
Article body
Latvia will face Finland in Helsinki on 22 May without key midfield player Maris Verpakovskis, who is out through injury.
One new face
Verpakovskis, who plays for FC Skonto, was injured in the Virsliga game against FHK Liepajas Metalurgs. Aside from Verpakovskis's absence, coach Aleksandrs Starkovs' selection is notable for a first call-up for defender Dmitrijs Nalivaiko of FC Dinaburg. Starkovs hinted that Nalivaiko might well start the game. "We need strong full-backs," he said. "It is not unfeasible that Dmitrijs will start the game".
Strongest squad
Latvia defeated Finland 1-0 in their most recent friendly match in Riga. Starkovs said: "The Finland friendly is very important for us, we need match practice against strong teams. I am hoping for a good result, even though the Finns will field a strong team".
Latvia squad
Kolinko, Piedels, Igors N. Stepanovs, Zakresevskis, Isakovs, Zemlinskis, Lukasevics, Nalivaiko, Astafjevs, Laizans, Bleidelis, Rubins, Igors V. Stepanovs, Dobrecovs, Pucinskis, Kolesnicenko, Pahars, Stolcers, Miholaps, Rimkus.