The European Champion Greece, who has almost lost its hope of being qualified for the 2006 World Cup, re-found a glimmer hope after rival Turkey failed to consolidate its poison of second place in the group last weekend.

The EURO 2004 winner is mobilized for Wednesday 's World Cup qualifier against pointless Kazakhstan as a must-win match, a first step to regain its advantage and save face.

Group leader Ukraine became the first European country last weekend to qualify for the World Cup,reaching 24 points after a 1-1 draw in Georgia. But Turkey's second place is under threat with 17 points after it was held to a 2-2 draw with an injury-time equalizer by Denmark.

Greece and Denmark follow with 15 and 13 points,respectively, from nine games each. The second-placed team will play two playoff matches against another European group runner-up.

Greece's German coach Otto Rehhagel told his players that wins in all the remaining three games - against Kazakhstan, Denmark and Georgia - will be essential to capture second place and qualify through playoffs.

"We've talked about the importance of the match against Kazakhstan and I can see how eager they are to win this time, and win we must in order for us to retain substantial hope for qualification," said Rehhagel, who attended the Turkey-Denmark game.

Midfielder Giorgos Karagounis said he felt confident the national team could capture second place in Group B, according to local media."No game is easy, but we need the three points,"said Karagounis, who recently switched to Portuguese champion Benfica from Inter Milan where he was getting limited play.

Striker Angelos Charisteas added: "We know exactly what we are up against. We want this win more than anything else and we can make it against a team that hasn't a very good campaign so far."

Following just one point in its previous two games - a 0-0 draw in Turkey and a 1-0 home defeat against Ukraine - Greece has slipped to third place in the group.

Karagounis said he believed Greece's goal drought, which has now lasted several games, will come to an end in Kazakhstan."When we get that first goal, there'll be more to follow. It's also important that we regain our strength in defense," said Karagounis.

Source: Xinhua