Duo return for Sofia showdown
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Article summary
Andres Oper and Urmas Rooba have returned to an 18-man Estonia squad for the Group 8 qualifier in Bulgaria.
Article body
Rooba on a high
Oper has been struggling for goals since moving to FC Torpedo Moskva yet remains a key figure for his country. Rooba, in contrast, has been in fine form for FC København and will arrive on a high should the Danish champions reach the UEFA Champions League group stage at the expense of Rangers FC on Wednesday.
Mixed news
However, it is not all welcome news for coach Arno Pijpers. His captain, Martin Reim, is still recovering from a back injury and Raio Piiroja is suspended. FC Spartak Moskva's prodigious 17-year-old Tarmo Kink has been overlooked as the coach is not satisfied with his attitude.
'Difficult to beat'
Estonia and Bulgaria drew 0-0 in their April qualifying meeting in Tallinn, and Pijpers called the Sofia showdown "a completely different ball game", adding: "Bulgaria need a win but we are not that easy to beat these days."
Unbeaten away
Estonia have yet to lose away from home in this qualifying campaign - having drawn in Croatia and beaten Andorra - and are currently in fourth place in a tight group, three points behind the leaders Bulgaria, who have played a game less.
Estonia squad
Poom, Kaalma, Stepanov, Allas, Lemsalu, Saviauk, Jääger, M Rooba, Kristal, Leetma, U Rooba, Reinumäe, Lindpere, Smirnov, Zelinski, Terehhov, Viikmäe, Oper.