Slovakia pair ruled out of Croker clash

SLOVAKIA have lost two players through suspension for Wednesday’s Group D clash with the Republic of Ireland at Croke Park.

Defender Jan Durica and midfielder Matej Krajcik received their second yellow cards of the qualifying competition in the 3-1 away win against Cyprus on Saturday, which left fourth-placed Slovakia one point behind Ireland but with a match in hand.

Having scored 15 times in five games, Ján Kocian’s team is the second most prolific attacking force in Europe at present behind Germany. But four-goal leading marksman Marek Mintál is out injured for the rest of the season.

Kocian, who replaced Dusan Galis as manager following Slovakia’s 4-1 home defeat by leaders Germany in October, has made several changes to the squad, which currently features five home-based players and 15 exiles. They had to come from behind in Nicosia on Saturday after Cyprus, despite having goalkeeper Michalis Morfis sent off after 41 minutes, managed to take the lead shortly after through Stathis Aloneftis.

Slovakia moved through the gears in the second period, however, and goals from Robert Vittek, Martin Skrtel and Martin Jakubko sealed a win which moved them on to nine points, just one behind Ireland, but with a game in hand.

Having spent most of the first half on the back foot, the 10-men of Cyprus took a shock lead a minute before the break.

Constantinos Charalambidis’ shot was parried by Kamil Contofalsky and Aloneftis was on hand to stab home the rebound.

New Slovakia coach Jan Kocian clearly had words with his troops at half-time as they emerged with a great deal more conviction after the interval.

Vittek equalised when he converted Marek Sapara’s cross after 54 minutes and Skrtel’s fine volley put them in front 13 minutes later.

Jakubko completed the turnaround with 14 minutes to go by heading home Jan Kozak’s centre.

CYPRUS: Morfis, Satsias, Lambrou, Louka, Theodotou (Georgallides 43), Michael, Charalambidis, Garpozis (Charalambous 66), Makrides (Elia 58), Yiasoumis, Aloneftis.

SLOVAKIA: Contofalsky, Singlar (Zofcak 46), Skrtel, Durica, Gresko, Borbely, Krajcik, Svento, Sapara (Kozak 68), Vittek, Jakubko (Sestak 79).

Att: 2,696

Referee: Gerald Lehner (Austria).