Pecko preparing for final Slovan push

A veteran of ŠK Slovan Bratislava's first four Slovakian titles between 1994 and 1999 as a player, Ladislav Pecko could lead the side to a fifth tonight with four games to spare.

Final hurdle
Eleven points clear at the top, a win at home to struggling FC Nitra coupled with a defeat at 1. FC Košice for second-placed MŠK Žilina would end the title race. "We need to take the final steps but to tell the truth it would be a disaster to let it slip when we have such a big lead," said the 40-year-old Pecko.

Skilful player
An enterprising right-back with attacking verve capped by Czechoslovakia and then Slovakia, Pecko was a member of the Slovan side that won the first three post-independence titles and was also a regular as they won their fourth, and most recent, crown in 1998/99 before the trail went cold for the 1968/69 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup winners. A 'Belasí' (Sky Blues) player for his whole career, making over 400 league appearances, Pecko hung up his boots in 2005 and moved on to the club's coaching staff. He was promoted – seemingly temporarily – from assistant coach following Boris Kitka's dismissal last April, but to the surprise of some went on to make the job his own.

Halenár goal
Making the title his own is the next job, and he took a massive step towards that with a 1-0 win at Žilina on Sunday. A title winner with FC Artmedia Petržalka last season, forward Juraj Halenár settled the game with a free-kick, and said afterwards: "That was the key match. Now I believe we will clinch the title." Žilina coach Vladimír Kuťka had no complaints. "Slovan didn't allow us to play our game and had great individuals in the team," he said. "That was the crucial factor." Meanwhile, the 500 Slovan fans who had travelled to watch the match stayed behind to chant Pecko's name in celebration. Bigger celebrations may grace the capital tonight.