Ukraine

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Ukraine ready for biggest game

22 Jun 2006 - 13:21:04

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Ukraine and Tunisia lock horns in Berlin's Olympiastadion with both sides holding out realistic hopes of sealing a place in the knockout stages of the World Cup.

The European side, making their first appearance on the biggest stage of all, are in pole position on three points, but the Carthage Eagles know a win will see them go through to the last 16.

Ukraine's campaign kicked off with a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Spain, but a 4-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia turned the mood in the camp around and leaves Oleg Blokhin's side facing the biggest game in their history.

The Ukraine coach said after his side's victory last time out: "This game gave us a big boost mentally.

"But we have to re-establish the mental basis for victory after this and it will be harder to motivate the players because we won."

Blokhin has central defender Vladyslav Vaschuk available again after a one-match suspension.

Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre has cause for optimism after his side pushed Spain all the way on their last outing, leading for a lengthy period before Luis Aragones' side secured a 3-1 victory.

Lemerre said: "We don't seem able to play for the full 90 minutes, but we have prepared so that we will be stronger in the third match than the second.

"For 70 minutes we did everything right. The last 20 minutes were fatal for our concentration."

Almost half of Lemerre's squad are walking a suspension tightrope, with ten players on one caution.

The only major absentee is star striker Francileudo Santos, who has yet to feature due to an ongoing shin problem.