Didim Today

When the draw was made for Group 5 of the European qualifying zone in November of 2007, few would have predicted anyone other than Spain and Turkey claiming the top-two spots. But nearly two years later and it is only the Spaniards who are comfortably in the driver’s seat, having secured their passage to South Africa 2010.

Instead of Turkey, who were Euro 2008 semi-finalists, or a Belgium side packed with very talented youngsters, it is Bosnia-Herzegovina who have a firm grip on the second spot. The Turks, in contrast, languish behind in third place - four points behind second place and 12 points behind the group leaders.

Fatih Terim's side, who have endured great success on the international stage - most recently at Euro 2008, have their work cut out for them as they face a Belgium squad without hope of advancing to the prestigious tournament next summer, but still have plenty of danger to provide.

Belgium go into Saturday’s match against Turkey with a new coach as Dick Advocaat has agreed to the Belgian Football Association's request to take over three months earlier than previously agreed. The former Netherlands coach, who was shown the door by Zenit St. Petersburg last month, was initially supposed to step into the job next January, but will now be in charge for this weekend’s qualifier.

The Belgian FA made the request after interim boss Frank Vercauteren stepped down in the wake of the 2-1 defeat to Armenia (last in Group 5 with a paltry 4 points taken from 8 matches) - a defeat that ended the Belgians’ hopes of reaching the World Cup. Source -gola.com