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Latvia aim for more surprises
Having gained just four points in their 2002 FIFA World Cup
qualifying group, finishing fourth well adrift of Croatia,
Belgium and Scotland, and even been held to a draw by San
Marino in Riga in front of a crowd of not much more than 500,
Latvia were few pundits' idea of EURO 200 qualifiers.
Play-off triumph
But from holding Sweden in their opening game, they always
looked potential qualifiers, and although they feel to defeats
against both Poland and Hungary, those traditionally strong
nations were pipped to a play-off place by Latvia. And then
Turkey - semi-finalists in the 2002 World Cup - were beaten
1-0 in Riga and then subjected to a stunning comeback in Istanbul
to take Latvia into their first major finals since independence.
Counterattacking style
So how did Latvia go from being a team that had never finished
in the top three of a qualifying group to a team able to join
Europe's elite 16? The key was the counterattacking style
adopted by coach Aleksandrs Starkovs, who succeeding Gary
Johnson in 2001 after the draw with San Marino. His 4-4-2
formation based around a pressing game and swift breaks paid
dividends.
Kolinko's clean sheets
Aleksandrs Kolinko is the regular goalkeeper, and his six
clean sheets in Latvia's ten qualifiers were vital to their
success. Aleksandrs Isakovs and the Dzintars Zirnis were the
full-backs in qualifying, although Olegs Blagonadezdins would
have had a place if fit. Igors Stepanovs and the experienced
Mihails Zemlinskis held the centre of defence.
Wingers vital
Valentins Lobanovs has a crucial role as the holding midfield
player, with Jurijs Laizans and Vitalis Astafjevs also in
the centre, important to Latvia's tight game. Imants Bleidelis
is on the right wing and Andrejs Rubins on the left, the crucial
positions positions with both defensive and counterattacking
duties, swiftly moving the ball forward using their considerable
pace.
Strike force
Up front, Maris Verpakovskis found prolific form in the latter
qualifiers - including against Turkey - with Vits Rimkus as
the regular partner. However, Marians Pahars returned to fitness
to come on at the end of the second leg in the qualifiers
and provides another option, as does Andrejs Prohorenkovs.
Win in Poland
The 0-0 draw with Sweden at the start of qualifying showed
the strength of the new tactics, as a visiting onslaught was
seen off. The next month, Laizans struck to secure a superb
1-0 win in Poland that took Latvia into first place, and although
the trip to San Marino in November 2002 brought back unhappy
memories of that previous meeting, Carlo Valentini's last-minute
own goal secured a narrow victory.
First setback
When qualifying resumed in April 2003, San Marino were beaten
3-0 in Riga, Prohorenkovs's opener followed by two goals from
Bleidelis. June saw the first setback, as Verpakovskis put
Latvia- still group leaders - ahead at half-time in Hungary
only for the home side to prevail 3-1. Sweden finally established
themselves firmly in pole position in September as Poland
won 2-0 in Riga, but a 3-1 home win against Hungary four days
later with two goals from Verpakovskis and another by Bleidelis
kept Latvia in the running.
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