Starkovs gives outsiders a chance
Thursday, December 18, 2003
Article summary
Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs has named several fringe players in his squad to face Kuwait on Saturday.
Article body
Missing duo
The Latvians are without Maris Verpakovskis of Skonto FC and Marians Pahars of Southampton FC, so the FHK Liepajas Metalurgs striking duo of Viktors Dobrecovs and Girts Karlsons are given a chance to stake a claim for a place in the country's UEFA EURO 2004™ squad along with young Skonto midfield players Kristaps Blanks and Igors Semjonovs.
'Far from peak condition'
"Most of the players are far from peak condition at the moment, I would estimate their readiness at 80 per cent," said Starkovs, who unexpectedly led his country to next summer's finals in Portugal. "I am happy to see their enthusiasm and desire to prove they are needed in the national team. This is a chance for the so-called substitutes to prove their worth, because I am not sure there is going to be such a chance in March or April."
Latvia squad
Kolinko, Piedels, Zirnis, Smirnovs, Korablovs, Blagonadezdins, Zakresevskis, Morozs, Rubins, Lobanevs, Pucinskis, Semjonovs, Blanks, Stolcers, Rimkus, Miholaps, Dobrecovs, Karlsons.
