Greece fans hoping for a dramatic transformation in their team after yet another World Cup loss are going to be disappointed.
The Greeks are still looking for their first goal - and win - in two World Cup appearances after losing their opening game to South Korea 2-0 on Saturday. But defender Vassilis Torosidis said Tuesday that the defensive-minded team can only redouble their efforts for Thursday's must-win game against Nigeria in Bloemfontein.
``To be honest, there can be no transformation in five days, not for any team,'' said Torosidis, who missed an early chance to score against South Korea. ``What we need to be is very stubborn and to show this on the pitch. Even if we don't win, we won't be disappointed as long as we play well.''
South Korea and Argentina are tied atop Group B with three points apiece. Greece's chances of getting out of Group B would have been 50-50 with a win against the Koreans, Torosidis said. He refused to say what he thinks the team's prospects are now.
The Greeks' last Group B game is against Argentina, the same opponents who beat them 4-0 in their calamitous 1994 World Cup campaign. Greece also lost to Nigeria (2-0) and Bulgaria (4-0) in the United States.
While claiming he's happy to follow instructions from coach Otto Rehhagel, Torosidis appeared to question the German veteran's choices.
``I was asked to take the set pieces,'' Torosidis said. ``I won't say no to the coach - that's my character. You could see for yourselves whether I was successful or not.''
Rehhagel, who turns 72 in August, faced criticism in Greece for not picking the physically intimidating Sotiris Kyrgiakos against South Korea and substituting captain Giorgos Karagounis at halftime.
But Kyrgiakos refused to be drawn into the debate.
``I don't take my (place) for granted ... Of course, I want to play in the next match and I'm ready,'' he said. ``But the main disappointment is that we didn't beat the Koreans.''
