Friday, March 26, 2010

Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on Slovakia


Slovakia are in Group F and will play New Zealand, Paraguay and Italy. This is the Slovakian squad which I believe has the best chance of success in South Africa.

First 11

GK. Dusan Pernis, Club- Dundee United, Age at the World Cup (AWC) 25.

RB. Peter Pekarik, Club- Wolfsburg, (AWC) 23.
CB. Csaba Horvath, Club- ADO Den Haag, (AWC) 28.
CB. Martin Skrtel, Club- Liverpool, (AWC) 25.
LB. Lubos Hanzel, Club- Schalke 04, (AWC) 23.

CM. Marek Hamsik, Club- Napoli, (AWC) 22.
CM. Marek Sapara, Club- Ankaragucu (Turkey), (AWC) 27.
RW. Filip Holosko, Club- Besiktas JK (Turkey), (AWC) 26.
LW. Miroslav Stoch, Club- FC Twente, (AWC) 20.

ST. Marek Mintal, Club- FC Nuremberg, (AWC) 32.
ST. Stanislav Sestak, Club- VFL Bochum, (AWC) 27.

Subs

GK. Jan Mucha, Club- Legia Warsaw (Poland), (AWC) 27.
GK. Lubos Kamenar, Club- FC Nantes (Ligue 2), (AWC) 22.

RB. Matej Krajcik, Club- SK Slavia Praha (Czech Republic), (AWC) 32.
CB. Jan Durica, Club- Hannover, (AWC) 28.
CB. Martin Petras, Club- Cesena (Serie B), (AWC) 30.
LB. Marek Cech, Club- West Bromwich Albion (Championship), (AWC) 27.

CDM. Miroslav Karhan, Club- FSV Mainz 05 (2nd Bundesliga), (AWC) 33.
CDM. Zdeno Strba, Club- Skoda Xanthi (Greece), (AWC) 34.
RW. Vladimir Weiss, Club- Manchester City, (AWC) 20.
LW. Dusan Svento, Club- Red Bull Salzburg (Austria), (AWC) 24.

ST. Robert Vittek, Club- Ankaragucu (Turkey), (AWC) 28.
ST. Martin Jakubko, Club- Saturn Moscow Oblast, (AWC) 30.

The Coach

Slovakia are coached by compatriot Vladimir Weiss. The Slovakian national team is the first time Weiss has coached a national team. Weiss has previously coached Slovakian club Artmedia Petrzalka and Russian club FC Saturn Moscow Oblast.

Slovakia's strengths

Slovakia can call upon a solid defence and Marek Hamsik in midfield and Marek Mintal up front give them a strong spine.

Slovakia's weakness

The Slovakia squad consists mostly of workmen like players and lacks a true superstar. There is also a question over Slovakia's quality of depth.

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