Slovakians proving difficult to beat

Slovakia - created when the old Czechoslovakia split amicably split on 1 January 1993 - have emerged as one of the trickiest of Europe’s middle-ranked nations. While not able to match their erstwhile partners in the Czech Republic they have nevertheless managed to build up a tough, hard-working side that has often proved difficult to beat.

Success and failure
Over the past four years in qualifying campaigns for EURO 2000™ and the 2002 FIFA World Cup they have produced some quality performances - especially away from home where they lost only three out of ten matches - but, perhaps betraying their lack of true class, they have also recorded some embarrassing failures, notably a 2-0 defeat in Azerbaijan.

Similar records
Slovakia’s records in both their EURO 2000™ and 2002 World Cup campaigns are strikingly similar - they won their first two games to go top of their group and then won their last two when the chance of qualification had long gone. In between they under-performed. In both tournaments they won five, drew two and lost three matches to notch up 17 points. Only their goals scored column differed as they struck 12 in EURO 2000™ qualifiers and 19 in the World Cup.

Good start 
In the EURO 2000™ qualifiers - first under coach Dusan Gallis and then, after he resigned, Jozef Adamaec - a good start saw them secure a 3-0 home win against Azerbaijan and a 4-0 triumph in Liechtenstein. However, Portugal were their next opponents and it was no surprise when Slovakia slumped to a 3-0 defeat in Bratislava. Undaunted by this set-back their next game, against the eventual Group Seven winners Romania, reflected the Slovakians’ growing confidence on the international stage when they held on for a goalless draw in Bucharest, despite having defender Vladimir Labant sent off in the 77th minute.

Resilience on the road 
Being held at home by Hungary in another goalless draw in the next match was something of an upset, especially as Slovakia had dominated possession. However, the Slovakians’ better form away from home was then once again demonstrated in Lisbon when - in a battling performance in which goalkeeper Miroslav König kept out the hosts until the 62nd minute - they restricted Portugal to a 1-0 victory (Slovakia’s only away defeat in the competition). Their resilience on their travels was also evident in the 1-0 win that followed in Hungary.

Hopes dashed
However, it all fell apart after that with a crushing 5-1 defeat inflicted at home by Romania, a disappointing result for the Slovakians who had battled back from an early penalty to make it 1-1 midway through the first half. The fact that their final - and largely irrelevant - two wins in Group Seven - like their first brace coming against Liechstenstein (2-0) and Azerbaijan (1-0) - were not as convincing as their opening salvoes suggested problems might lie ahead for Adamec.

Back in business
Nevertheless, by the time the World Cup qualifying tournament came around Slovakia were back in business. Buoyed by a run of four friendlies without defeat they added a further five in a row in Group Seven to go top of the group on the back of the longest unbeaten run in their fledgling history. Victories over FYR Macedonia (2-0) and in Moldova (1-0) were followed by an impressive 0-0 draw against the eventual group winners Sweden and a battling 1-1 draw in Turkey. Then a 3-1 defeat of Azerbaijan saw the Slovakians go to the top of the group on goal difference.

Coach resigns 
As if to measure their improvement in wider terms Slovakia - now ranked 44th in the FIFA world rankings - took on Germany in a friendly in May 2001, and although they lost 2-0 they undoubtedly went into their return match in Sweden in high spirits. Indeed, the Slovakians could have gone ahead when Vratislav Gresko hit the post in the 25th minute but sadly that was the high point for Adamec’s World Cup dreams. The Swedes, dominating the match, ran out 2-0 winners and two more defeats followed for the Slovakians - limply 2-0 against Azerbaijan and then, narrowly and frustratingly, 1-0 at home to Turkey - and all hopes of a play-off place had vanished.

Damage done
Slovakia bounced back with convincing wins over Moldova (4-2) and in Macedonia (5-0) but the damage had been done. To Adamec as well. The coach resigned after his failure to progress and was replaced in December 2001 by Ladislav Jurkemik.