Campaign to qualify for Euro 2016 intensifies with two rounds of matches
Thomas Mueller kicks the ball during a training session of Germany's national soccer team in Frankfurt, Germany
Paris: The campaign to qualify for Euro 2016 intensifies with two rounds of matches played back-to-back over six days, starting from Thursday, offering the chance for those countries who started badly last month to play catch-up.That is the case for Guus Hiddink’s Netherlands, who entertain Kazakhstan and then go to Iceland looking to bounce back from a defeat in the Czech Republic, and for Group A rivals Turkey, who were beaten in Iceland last time out and now host the Czechs before an awkward trip to Latvia.
Meanwhile, Portugal will play their first match under new coach Fernando Santos when they go to France for a friendly on Saturday before taking on Denmark away next Tuesday.
Santos has replaced Paulo Bento, who departed following the shock 1-0 home defeat to Albania in September.
Attention will also be drawn to the Group ‘G’ meeting of Sweden and Russia, with the hosts set to give captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic as he bids to recover from a heel injury. Elsewhere, England entertain the whipping boys of world football, San Marino, at Wembley on Thursday before a trip to Estonia in a Group ‘E’ double-header that should provide few problems.
Reigning champions Spain are on the road for two Group ‘C’ fixtures against Slovakia and Luxembourg, with the first game in Zilina a potential banana skin. Sergio Ramos will miss the trip with a calf injury, but Pique is back in the squad.
( Source : AFP )
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