Greece, Denmark hopes on line

Greece and Denmark will both be anxiously looking for only their second victory in five games when the two injury-hit teams meet in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday. Having lost ground early in their first four Group Two matches, they will be eager to close the gap with leaders Ukraine who lead the pack with 11 points from five matches — and who could stretch that with a win over Albania on Wednesday. ‘‘There is no other result for us than victory, a draw is just no good enough,” Greek midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos said. “We have to go away with the three points if we want to keep our chances for qualifying for the World Cup alive.”

European champions Greece, in fifth place with five points following a defeat, two draws and only one win, will be without their talented midfielder Vassilis Tsiartas who is injured. Defender Michalis Kapsis and striker Dimitris Papadopoulos are also doubtful. Team captain Theodoros Zagorakis and midfielder Angelos Basinas have also picked up minor injuries but both are expected to start. Coach Otto Rehhagel is likely to stick with his 4-4-2 formation that so far has served him well, bringing on midfielder Costas Katsouranis in a more defensive role in the place of Kapsis and keeping Angelos Haristeas and Zisis Vryzas up front.