LUXEMBOURG (AP):

Switzerland can qualify for the World Cup in South Africa with a win in Luxembourg today and Latvia holds Greece to a draw in Athens.

The Swiss lost to the Grand Duchy 2-1 in Zurich last year, perhaps the team's worst defeat in their century-long history, getting the tenure of German coach Ottmar Hitzfeld off to an awful start.

"We have something to make up for," Hitzfeld said. "That is why it won't be difficult to get the team fired up."

a foot in

Whatever happens in Athens, victory for Switzerland will at least give them second place in the group and a spot in the playoffs.

The players are sure not to underestimate Luxembourg again. But fear remains, even though the Swiss have risen to 15 in the FIFA rankings compared to No. 116 for Luxem-bourg.

"The danger is we become tense if we don't score early in the game," Switzerland striker Alexander Frei said. "Only the victory counts on Saturday."