Starkovs plays it safe
Monday, November 11, 2002
Article summary
Alex Kolinko is one of four goalkeepers in Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs' squad to face San Marino.
Article body
Trimmed to 18
FHK Liepajas Metalurgs goalkeeper Aleksejs Krucs joins first-choice Alex Kolinko of Crystal Palace FC, FC Skonto's Andrejs Piedels and FK Ventspils custodian Andris Vanins in the party, which will be trimmed to 18 for the trip on 15 November.
Impressive win
Krucs and Skonto defender Viktors Moroz are the only additions to the squad announced for the game in Poland last month, a match which resulted in an impressive 1-0 success for the Latvians.
Coach fired
Latvia will be looking to improve on their last performance against San Marino, a 1-1 draw in a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier, which resulted in Starkovs's predecessor, Englishman Gary Johnson, losing his job.
Hungary on top
Latvia drew 0-0 at home with Sweden in their opening Group 4 fixture before last month's fine victory in Warsaw, Juris Laizans scoring the only goal in the 30th minute. Hungary currently top the section on goal difference from Latvia.
Latvia squad
Kolinko, Piedels, Vanins, Krucs, Blagonadezdins, Isakovs, Zemlinskis, Morozs, Stepanovs, Zirnis, Zavoronkovs, Lobanovs, Astafjevs, Rubins, Laizans, Bleidelis, Pucinskis, Kolesnicenko, Verpakovskis, Miholaps, Pahars, Rimkus, Štolcers, Prohorenkovs.
