Austria's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier against Group A rivals Turkey in Istanbul tomorrow will be a special match for defender Ekrem Dag.

The 30-year-old, who plays his club football for Besiktas, was born in Turkey, coming to Austria as an eight-year-old, and turned down an approach from the Turkish Football Association to commit himself to Austria. The visitors go into the game level on seven points with second-placed Belgium, to whom they lost 2-0 at home on Friday, and just one clear of their opponents.

"This match is something very special for me," Dag told the Austrian FA's official website. "I'll be playing where I often play with my club and have many friends. It is an honour to play in the Austria national team, but I also won't forget that I was born in Turkey."

Dag is just one of a number of Austria players with Turkish roots, alongside Yasin Pehlivan and Umit Korkmaz. And he knows the hosts will be banking on victory tomorrow. "The whole Turkish nation will be reckoning on three points against Austria - and the atmosphere in the stadium will be good."

Turkey could certainly do with a win, having lost their last three games, including a 1-0 qualifying defeat against Azerbaijan, and failed to score in their last four. "The (Turkish) team will try even more to win and boost morale and self-belief," said Dag.

It is an honour to play in the Austria national team, but I also won't forget that I was born in Turkey.
Ekrem Dag, Austria defender

"We are playing against a strong team, but one which has weaknesses. We have to fight. It will be tougher than against Belgium, but I believe we can get something in Istanbul. We will get more chances than against Belgium."

Austria have been dealt another injury blow ahead of the game with the news captain Marc Janko and midfielder Zlatko Junuzovic have been ruled out. FC Twente striker Janko has a shoulder problem, while Junuzovic has taken a knock to his left ankle.

Elsewhere tomorrow, Belgium will look to make it two wins in five days with victory at home to Azerbaijan. A win would take the Belgians, who started the qualifying campaign with back-to-back defeats to within five points of runaway group leaders Germany.

Belgium will be without defender Vincent Kompany through suspension and striker Marvin Ogunjimi who has a knee injury. His replacement Romelu Lukaku pulled up in training on Saturday, but assistant coach Marc Wilmots said the problem was just cramp.