Step-in striker Mintal aims to fill Vittek void
Vittek was withdrawn from the squad with knee ligament damage but Mintal, whose last competitive match for Slovakia was in the 4-1 defeat to Germany last October, has vowed to dedicate the result to the injured skipper.
Mintal is Slovakia’s top scorer in the qualifying campaign with four goals and though a series of injuries have seen him lose his place at German side FC Nuremberg, he has warned the Irish that he is fully fit and ready to cause problems in Bratislava on Saturday.
“I am fighting for my place at my club because I was injured for a lot of last season — but that’s normal and I am ready to prove myself,” he said.
“I will not give up, and the chance to play against a great team like Ireland will inspire me to do my best.
“I am fully fit now, but I am sorry that Robbo, our captain, will be missing out. He is a real leader and we will miss him. But we will do our best to replace him and will fight for him all the way.”
It is some consolation for the Slovakians that the last time Vittek missed a competitive match, it was the opening qualifier of Group D. Filip Sebo, who has been called up to replace Vittek, started that day against Cyprus, and shared four goals with Mintal as they wreaked havoc.
The pair scored two each in a 25-minute spell on either side of half-time as the Slovaks won the match 6-1.
Dusan Galis was Slovakia coach then, with Jan Kocian replacing him last November. And though Sebo scored five goals in his first three internationals (he also netted a hat-trick against Malta), he and Kocian have a strained relationship ever since Sebo turned up late to a team meeting in February: he was on his way to the team hotel but was stopped and fined by the police for speeding.
“He has not been with the team for a long time and I need to speak to Filip and explain our rules to him,” said Kocian.
Sebo was packing his bags in Glasgow after completing a loan move to French side Valenciennes when he found out about the call-up. He returned to Slovakia via Valenciennes and Brussels before arriving at the team hotel late on Tuesday night.
“I have had a lot to arrange over the last few days but I am happy that’s now over and I can concentrate on the national team,” said Sebo. “I have enough time to prepare hard with the squad, and prove that I am in a condition to play a part in the games against Ireland and Wales. I am hoping for a chance. I will be ready to play from the start, but the decision is down to the coach, not me.”
The most likely scenario is that Sebo will be used from the bench as an impact substitute, although Mintal has urged the coach to pick as many goal scorers as possible.
“Ireland looked impressive when they beat Denmark 4-0 but we have to remember that was only a friendly game and when there are points at stake, everything is different,” said Mintal.
“Now we are playing for points and we need them against Ireland and Wales. We have to get over our misfortune in attack and get back to scoring goals — starting Saturday against Ireland.”
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