CROATIA coach Slaven Bilic is targeting maximum points from his side's opening Euro 2012 Group F qualifying match against Latvia in Riga tomorrow night.
Bilic is anxious to get the talented Croatian squad back on track after the shock of failing to qualify for the World Cup, and has vowed to come flying out of the traps in his side's opening two matches.
A key home game against 2004 European champions Greece follows on Tuesday, and Bilic wants no half measures from his side in their bid to reach the finals in Poland and Ukraine in two years' time.
"Let's go for three points," said the former Hajduk Split and West Ham defender, who successfully guided Croatia to the finals of Euro 2008.
"We have reiterated many times that we start with two games from which we want all six points.
"So, in Riga, we are interested only in victory."
Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar is also eyeing a perfect start to the campaign.
"We have long waited for these qualifiers and I hope that we will start with two wins, which will bring us confidence," he said.
"We respect every opponent, but must return with three points.
"Greece and ourselves are the group favourites and we must prove it on the field."
Latvia are protecting a five-game unbeaten home record in competitive matches but have a poor record against Croatia, having lost both of their two previous meetings, which came in qualifying for the 2002 World Cup.
Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs will be able to call on skipper Vitalijs Astafjevs, who has shrugged off an injury problem and should win his 163rd cap.
In the night's other Group F encounter, Greece will contest their first competitive match since the departure of German coach Otto Rehhagel, who stood down after nine years in the role following his side's early elimination from the World Cup.
The Greeks will line up against Georgia at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus in what will be Fernando Santos' first test since taking up the managerial reins from Rehhagel.
Greece are unbeaten in five games against Georgia, but the visitors' coach, Temuri Ketsbaia, has nevertheless set his sights high on the eve of the qualifying campaign.
"It's hard to demand that we reach the finals given that the team has not won for so long," said Ketsbaia, alluding to his country's winless display in qualifying for the World Cup.
"But I would be lying if I said I wasn't dreaming of Poland and Ukraine.
"As long as we have a chance, we will fight."
A key home game against 2004 European champions Greece follows on Tuesday, and Bilic wants no half measures from his side in their bid to reach the finals in Poland and Ukraine in two years' time.
"Let's go for three points," said the former Hajduk Split and West Ham defender, who successfully guided Croatia to the finals of Euro 2008.
"We have reiterated many times that we start with two games from which we want all six points.
"So, in Riga, we are interested only in victory."
Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar is also eyeing a perfect start to the campaign.
"We have long waited for these qualifiers and I hope that we will start with two wins, which will bring us confidence," he said.
"We respect every opponent, but must return with three points.
"Greece and ourselves are the group favourites and we must prove it on the field."
Latvia are protecting a five-game unbeaten home record in competitive matches but have a poor record against Croatia, having lost both of their two previous meetings, which came in qualifying for the 2002 World Cup.
Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs will be able to call on skipper Vitalijs Astafjevs, who has shrugged off an injury problem and should win his 163rd cap.
In the night's other Group F encounter, Greece will contest their first competitive match since the departure of German coach Otto Rehhagel, who stood down after nine years in the role following his side's early elimination from the World Cup.
The Greeks will line up against Georgia at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus in what will be Fernando Santos' first test since taking up the managerial reins from Rehhagel.
Greece are unbeaten in five games against Georgia, but the visitors' coach, Temuri Ketsbaia, has nevertheless set his sights high on the eve of the qualifying campaign.
"It's hard to demand that we reach the finals given that the team has not won for so long," said Ketsbaia, alluding to his country's winless display in qualifying for the World Cup.
"But I would be lying if I said I wasn't dreaming of Poland and Ukraine.
"As long as we have a chance, we will fight."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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