Greece book South Africa ticket

Dimitris Salpigidis scored the only goal as Greece clinched a place at the 2010 World Cup courtesy of a narrow victory over Ukraine at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk.

Salpigidis timed his run to perfection just after the half-hour mark to clip a composed finish beyond Ukraine goalkeeper Andrei Piatov, following Celtic striker Giorgos Samaras' superb through-ball.

Alexei Mikhailichenko's side, needing to score twice to keep their qualification hopes alive, penned the Greeks in the own half for long spells in the second half but failed to breach a visiting rearguard inspired by goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas, who made a string of fine saves.

It is the first time Greece, the 2004 European Champions, have qualified for a World Cup since 1994 in the United States.