Switzerland will not face any football giants in their bid to
qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, local Swissinfo
website reported on Sunday.
The Swiss Football Association discovered that the national
squad would be in a group alongside Greece, Israel, Latvia, Moldova
and Luxembourg, following Sunday's draw for the preliminary
competition.
A total of 170 teams were entered into the draw which was held
in the South African city of Durban.
Switzerland will be one of the teams chasing 31 places at the
World Cup finals. Currently ranked 26th in Europe and 44th in the
world, Switzerland must come top of its group to ensure a place in
South Africa.
If it ends the preliminary round as one of the best eight
runners-up, it can still qualify by winning a play off round.
Greece is the group's top-ranked team at ninth in Europe,
followed by Israel at 18th.
Switzerland played Israel twice in the preliminary round ahead
of the 2006 World Cup. Both matches ended in a draw.
President of the Swiss Football Association said from the
ceremony in Durban: "We've been placed in a very even group.
Anything is possible from first to fourth place."
Swiss coach Kobi Kuhn said Switzerland would have to show a lot
of respect for their opponents such as Israel. "Israel is rated
highly, which became clear after their recent victory over
Russia."
A total of 861 qualifying matches will be played to determine
the lineup for the 2010 World Cup finals.
(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2007)