Greece center back Vangelis Moras said Wednesday he will sit out his team's opening World Cup match against South Korea even though he has recovered from a lingering groin injury.
Moras has been receiving daily physiotherapy instead of training with Greece in an attempt to overcome the nagging injury. Tests Wednesday showed he is fully recovered, but he said it is too early to be plunged into a World Cup match.
``I don't want to risk it,'' Moras said. ``I want to be fit for Nigeria.''
Greece plays South Korea on Saturday and then faces Nigeria on June 17. Its final match is against Group B favorite Argentina on June 22.
Greece has not announced who will replace Moras at the heart of the 2004 European champion's defense. Experienced midfielder Costas Katsouranis could drop back into defense to replace him.
