Under-strength Latvia set for Cyprus
Monday, February 2, 2004
Article summary
Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs is missing several players for this month's friendly tournament in Cyprus.
Article body
Squad announcement
Starkovs has named a 21-man squad for the matches against Kazakhstan on 18 February, and either Hungary or Armenia the next day.
Missing players
However, the Skonto FC trio of goalkeeper Andrejs Piedels, defender Olegs Blagonadezdins and striker Mihails Miholaps are all missing along with forwards Viktors Dobrecovs (FHK Liepajas Metalurgs), Girts Karlsons (FC Shinnik Yaroslav), Andrejs Prohorenkovs (Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC) and Andrejs Štolcers (Fulham FC). Most are ruled out through injury.
Back in contention
The coach is able to recall the FC Torpedo-Metallurg Moskva pair of goalkeeper Andris Vanins and midfield player Vladimirs Kolesnicenko after long absences from the international fold. Also included is the Skonto youngster Gatis Kalnins.
Third opponent
Latvia, who will compete against Germany, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands in EURO 2004™ Group D, will also meet one from four other teams - Cyprus, Belarus, Georgia and Romania - in their third and final match in the Cyprus tournament on 21 February.
Latvia squad
Kolinko, Vanins, Stepanovs, Zemlinskis, Isakovs, Zirnis, Smirnovs, Korablovs, Astafjevs, Laizans, Lobanevs, Semjonovs, Rubins, Pucinskis, Bleidelis, Kolesnicenko, Rimkus, Verpakovskis, Pahars, Blanks, Kalnins.
