Switzerland will not face any football giants in their bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, local Swissinfo website reported on Sunday.

 

The Swiss Football Association discovered that the national squad would be in a group alongside Greece, Israel, Latvia, Moldova and Luxembourg, following Sunday's draw for the preliminary competition.

 

A total of 170 teams were entered into the draw which was held in the South African city of Durban.

 

Switzerland will be one of the teams chasing 31 places at the World Cup finals. Currently ranked 26th in Europe and 44th in the world, Switzerland must come top of its group to ensure a place in South Africa.

 

If it ends the preliminary round as one of the best eight runners-up, it can still qualify by winning a play off round.

 

Greece is the group's top-ranked team at ninth in Europe, followed by Israel at 18th.

 

Switzerland played Israel twice in the preliminary round ahead of the 2006 World Cup. Both matches ended in a draw.

 

President of the Swiss Football Association said from the ceremony in Durban: "We've been placed in a very even group. Anything is possible from first to fourth place."

 

Swiss coach Kobi Kuhn said Switzerland would have to show a lot of respect for their opponents such as Israel. "Israel is rated highly, which became clear after their recent victory over Russia."

 

A total of 861 qualifying matches will be played to determine the lineup for the 2010 World Cup finals.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2007)