Slovakia 0 Russia 1

Armenia stunned Slovakia with four second-half goals in Zilina to blow Euro 2012 qualifying Group B wide open.

SLOVAKIA may have dented Irish qualification hopes by claiming a draw in Dublin last Friday but Richard Dunne is using Vladimir Weiss’ side as inspiration ahead of the Republic’s latest crucial showdown, in Moscow, today.

Republic of Ireland 0 Slovakia 0

Republic of Ireland 0 Slovakia 0

SLOVAKIAN playmaker Marek Hamsik has no more than a 50-50 chance of featuring in tonight’s European Championship clash against the Republic of Ireland, according to his manager Vladimir Weiss.

SLOVAKIA captain Marek Hamsik travelled to Dublin with his international teammates on Wednesday night but vowed to play in Friday’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Ireland only if he is 100%.

RUSSIAN coach Dick Advocaat was not worried about his side’s 0-0 draw away to Armenia on Saturday.

IN the immediate and deeply gloomy aftermath of the crushing setback of Friday’s loss to Russia, Ireland would happily have settled for a point in this one.

Liam Lawrence failed a fitness test on a leg injury today so Keith Fahey started tonight’s Euro 2012 qualifier in Zilina in midfield as one of two changes for the Republic of Ireland from Friday’s 3-2 defeat by Russia.

Robbie Keane believes Shane Long can surprise the Slovakian defence when he takes Kevin Doyle's place in the Republic of Ireland side in Zilina tonight.

VLADIMIR WEISS is not countenancing tonight’s game ending in a draw.

Bullish Slovakia boss Vladimir Weiss expects the Republic of Ireland to come away empty-handed from their most important Euro 2012 qualifier tomorrow.

MARCO TARDELLI yesterday made no attempt to disguise his disappointment at losing Kevin Doyle, who returned to Wolves today for treatment on a swollen knee, but Giovanni Trapattoni’s assistant manager insisted that Ireland have adequate striking options in Shane Long and Andy Keogh as they fly out to Slovakia this morning.

ARSENAL star Andrei Arshavin says his Russian side must now come to Dublin and win next month following their shock Euro 2012 defeat to Slovakia in Moscow on Tuesday night.

MIROSLAV STOCH scored the only goal as Slovakia inflicted a shock Euro 2012 Group B home defeat on Russia at Moscow’s Lokomotiv Stadium yesterday, a result that could have major implications for the Republic of Ireland.

Portugal’s difficult start to their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign continued as they fell to defeat against Norway in Oslo tonight.

Russia 0 Slovakia 1

NETHERLANDS coach Bert van Marwijk yesterday played down striker Robin van Persie’s petulant reaction to being substituted during his side’s 2-1 win over Slovakia.

Holland 2 Slovakia 1

Slovakia 3 Italy 2

SLOVAKIA coach Vladimir Weiss has admitted the World Cup pressure is on his starlet son as his team prepares to meet New Zealand in their opening World Cup encounter in the Royal Bafokeng stadium today.

The Netherlands booked their place in next year's World Cup finals with a 2-1 victory over Iceland in Reykjavik tonight.

Liverpool 2 Chelsea 0

PERHAPS it is for the best that the suggestion Roman Abramovich is touting Chelsea around the Middle East is far-fetched.

Chelsea 1 Arsenal 2

Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari with add youngsters Miroslav Stoch and Michael Woods to his injury-hit Chelsea squad for tomorrow’s trip to West Bromwich.

NOT a bad week — 100 League goals for Lampard, 1,000 Premier League goals surpassed for the club, 100 clean sheets for Cech, five goals against Sunderland, a hat-trick for Anelka, and back to the top of the table.