ATHENS, Sept 7 (AFP) - European champions Greece have a point to prove against Turkey here on Wednesday in an eagerly-awaited 2006 World Cup qualifier.
The Euro 2004 winners lost 2-1 in Albania on Saturday in their Group Two opener and are now expected to be even more highly motivated than usual against traditional rivals Turkey at their newly-rebuilt Karaiskaki Stadium.
Greece defender Takis Fissas said in an interview with the ERA Sports radio station: "We know our fans will be behind us. It (preliminary World Cup matches) is a mini championship with 12 matches. We have played only one and nothing has been decided. We are at the beginning.
"We want to give more joy to Greeks. We will try to qualify for the World Cup. We want them behind us. We saw on television how with passion they waited in long lines to buy tickets."
This will be the first time Greece have played on home soil since winning the Euro 2004 trophy two months ago.
Greece have only won two of their nine matches played against Turkey and this is the first time the two teams have met in a major international tournament.
Turkey arrived in Athens on Monday and were tight-lipped, with only their coach Ersun Yanal telling Turkish reporters that the qualifying rounds were still in the early stages and a loss by either team should not be taken badly as there were still many matches still to play.
"We have not lost our spirit after the draw at home (in first qualifying match against Georgia 1-1 over the weekend). We are ready for Wednesday's match," said Turkish midfielder Ibrahim Toraman.
Turkey will be without forward Hasan Gokhan Sas who received a red card against Georgia. Fellow striker Kakan Sukur is also doubtful with an injury.
Greece look set to start their third straight contest without defender Trainos Dellas who is still nursing a pulled thigh muscle. He did not train on Monday and coach Otto Rehhagel has Nikos Dabizas on standby.