Cyprus-Forum.com

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Source: http://www.lgr.co.uk

London Greek Radio are following Cyprus's progress!

Cyprus will endeavour to beat Wales who are scheduled to visit the island on Saturday October 13 - for a EURO 2008 qualifier at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia kick-off at 7.15pm local time.

Cyprus want win
The national team shall want to erase memories of their 3-1 loss to Wales last October in Cardiff.

It is a little known fact the Cypriots aren't the best of travellers - their home record is quite good however. More recent results saw them defeat San Marino 3-0, Hungary (2-1 in a friendly) and an excellent 1-1 draw against the Germans.

Ireland visit
Cyprus will follow that match with a meeting in Dublin on the following Wednesday - the Cypriots had stunned the Republic of Ireland with an impressive 5-2 win on October 7 2006, but can expect a stern test in the away fixture. The Irish side could very well be contemplating how to exact their vengeance.

Then again Angelos Anastasiades' side may yet find the form that has alluded them on their travels, Dublin could produce the perfect chance to change that.

FIFA World Rankings
Cyprus will seek to maximise on their tally of 10 points - knowing that Germany and the Czech Republic are the outright favourites for qualification to Austria and Switzerland. The national team will aspire to strenghten their FIFA world ranking. With good results in their remaining games - can benefit from a decent seeding in their bid to qualify for the World Cup.

Cyprus are at No.68 in the world rankings - one of their best ever standings.

Michalis Konstantinou of Olympiacos has earned a call for the side, as well as in-form striker Yiannis Okkas of Spanish club Celta de Vigo.

Efstathios Aloneftis who plays for FC Energie Cottbus in the Bundesliga has been scoring for the German club, and is likely to be a key influential player for the Cyprus side in the hunt for goals.

Konstantinos Charalampides (FC Carl Zeiss Jena) is also in good form, after scoring his first goal for the second division German side.

APOEL pair return
Marinos Satsias and Michael Morfis have returned to the Cyprus squad to face Wales and the Republic of Ireland after missing the island's last two wins.

The APOEL FC pair sat out the back-to-back victories against San Marino, with goalkeeper Morfis nursing a broken finger and Satsias suffering from knee problems. FC Carl Zeiss Jena midfielder Costas Charalampides will also be available after missing the last two games with a knee injury.

Cyprus are sixth in Group D but level on points with the two sides above them, Slovakia and Wales.

Cyprus squad
Goalkeepers: Antonis Georgallides (AC Omonia), Sofronis Avgoustis (AEK Larnaca FC), Michalis Morfis (APOEL FC).

Defenders: Stelios Okkarides (Apollon Limassol FC), Marios Elia (APOEL FC), Georgios Theodotou (AC Omonia), Lambros Lambrou (Anorthosis Famagusta FC), Paraskevas Christou (AEK Larnaca FC), Marios P Nicolaou (Panionios FC), Christis Theofilou (Apollon Limassol FC).

Midfielders: Chrysostomous Michael (APOEL FC), Elias Charalambous (PAOK FC), Efstathios Aloneftis (FC Energie Cottbus), Konstantinos Makridis (APOEL FC), Alexandros Garpozis (Apollon Limassol FC), Marinos Satsias (APOEL FC), Christos Marangos (Apollon Limassol FC), Konstantinos Charalampides (FC Carl Zeiss Jena).

Forwards: Yiannis Okkas (Celta de Vigo), Nektarios Alexandrou (Larissa FC), Yiasoumis Yiasoumi (Aris Limassol FC), Michalis Konstantinou (Olympiacos CFP).