Euroe 2004 winners Greece face an uphill battle to make it to the World Cup finals in South Africa after a 0-0 draw against Ukraine in the first-leg of their play-off in Athens on Saturday.

In an evenly-fought contest, the overall top scorer in qualifying Theofanis Gekas missed a glorious chance to make it advantage Greece, while Liverpool defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos also nearly won it for the home side in the dying minutes but headed wide.

You sense Otto Rehhagel's side have missed their chance to book their place at South Africa 2010, but will remain a dangerous opposition in Kiev should they grab a valuable away goal.

The Euro 2004 winners have failed to win in their last four away games however and will come up against a side that have lost just one in 12 at the Olympic Stadium.

Ukraine coach Alexei Mykhailychenko believes the tie is still evenly matched despite having home advantage.

"At the moment I think the chances are the same as before, '50-50’'" Mykhailychenko told The DailyTelegraph. "The match is like a final, where everything depends on one result.

"There's a feeling of positive energy in the team. We want to win the match in normal time."

Ukraine put the final nail in Greece's hopes of qualifying for the last World Cup in 2006 and Greece coach Rehhagel is adamant lightening won't strike twice.

"Everything rides on this one game and we have to come up with a special kind of fighting spirit and passion," said Rehhagel, who will step down if his side fail to qualify.

"For me it is important when the game starts that we minimise our mistakes."

Greece must score or win on penalties to qualify, while Ukraine will be looking to continue their impressive record at home and avoid an upset.

Team News:

Midfielder Taras Mykhalyk is doubtful for Ukraine after picking up a knock at the weekend, while defender Grigoriy Yarmash has pulled out of the squad with a cold.

Experienced Liverpool forward Andriy Voronin remains in the international wilderness after criticising Mykhailychenko in the media.

Giorgos Karagounis and Sotirios Kyrgiakos have recovered from minor injuries for Greece after completing individual training sessions on Monday.

Olympiakos defender Avraam Papadopoulos remains a doubt, but also managed to complete Monday's training session unscathed.

Vasilis Torosidis, Kostas Chalkias and Giourkas Seitaridis have all been ruled out.

Giorgos Galitsios and Giorgos Tzavellas have joined up with the squad as emergency cover, while Traianos Dellas declined the offer. Youngster Vasilis Koutsianikoulis has left to join the U-21 side.

Probable Line-Ups (*Star man):

Ukraine (5-3-2): Pyatov; Mykhalyk, Kucher, Kobin, Khacheridi, Rakitskiy; Nazarenko, Gusev, Yarmolenko; Shevchenko*, Milevskiy

Greece (4-3-3): Sifakis; Vintra, Kyrgiakos, Papadopoulos, Spyropoulos; Karagounis, Katsouranis, Tziolis; Samaras, Gekas, Charisteas*

ExtraFootie Prediction: Ukraine 1-0 Greece - The first-leg lacked urgency and creativity with neither side looking like breaking the deadlock. Ukraine should be more potent at home and sneak a winner to break Greek hearts once again.

Fancy a flutter? You can back Ukraine to win a penalty shoot-out at 22/1 or Ukraine to win 2-0 at 6/1.