Slovenia trump Slovakia's hand
Saturday 10 October 2009
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Slovenia silenced a passionate home crowd in Bratislava (©Getty Images)
Slovakia wasted a massive chance to advance to the FIFA World Cup finals as Group 3 winners as goals from Valter Birsa and Nejc Pečnik left Slovenia with a real opportunity to steal their hosts' thunder on Wednesday.
Pressure sustained
AJ Auxerre striker Birsa tested Ján Mucha in the Slovakia goal within seconds of the kick-off, but that early warning sign was quickly forgotten as a deflected Ján Ďurica shot at the other end hit Samir Handanovič's post. The home side toiled hard, taking strength from a full house at the Tehelné Pole Stadium in Bratislava, however Slovenia soaked up the pressure and made a dramatic breakthrough eleven minutes after the break, Birsa finding the net with a fine strike from 25 metres out.
Quick break
The goal helped bolster Slovenia's confidence, and though group leaders Slovakia kept coming at them, Matjaž Kek's men held firm and exploited the extra space to kill off the match three minutes into added time. Ďurica had managed to clear a Milivoje Novakovič effort off the line moments earlier following a fine individual move, but substitute Pečnik made no mistake as another quick break set him free.
'An important victory'
Kek's side can now finish first if they beat San Marino in their final game and Slovakia fail to win in Poland on Wednesday. "I have to congratulate my players," the coach said. "They fought all through the match and earned an important victory. We must beat San Marino and then see what happens." Slovakia, meanwhile, know defenders Radoslav Zábavník, Ďurica and Martin Škrtel, plus midfielder Miroslav Stoch, will all be suspended for their big game in Chorzow.
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