Soccer:Slovakia boss Vladimir Weiss expects the Republic of Ireland to come away empty-handed from their most important Euro 2012 qualifier tomorrow. The teams will start the clash in Zilina level on six points alongside Russia, but with both looking to bounce back from disappointing performances.
Ireland were beaten 3-2 by Russia in Dublin while Slovakia surprisingly lost 3-1 to Armenia in Yerevan. Weiss, though, pointed to history being on his side, with Slovakia never having lost consecutive qualifying matches in the two years he has been in charge.
Indeed, Friday’s result came with Slovakia enjoying the best period in their brief history after reaching the last 16 at their first World Cup finals and then beating Russia 1-0 in Moscow last month.
Weiss said: “What we gained against Russia we lost against Armenia. That game was a loss but before that we won five matches in qualification in a row so I don’t believe tomorrow we are going to lose because we have never lost two qualifiers in a row.
“We respect Ireland and I truly admire and look up to (manager) Giovanni Trapattoni. The Ireland team are a great team with a great spirit but I believe in the line-up I’ve chosen and I’m counting on them for tomorrow’s match. I believe one team is going to lose and I believe it’s not going to be us.”
Both teams will be shorn of key players, with Kevin Doyle sidelined by a knee injury for the visitors while Slovakia are without striker Robert Vittek and suspended Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel.
Vittek, who also missed Friday’s match with a knee injury, was Slovakia’s star man at the World Cup, netting four goals, while veteran midfielder Zdeno Strba dealt Weiss a blow by retiring from international football this month.
“Doyle is a great player but it’s not an excuse because we are missing three players as well,” said the Slovakia coach. “We have new players who we are counting on.”
However, Miroslav Stoch, who was carried off during the match in Yerevan, trained today and Weiss hinted the former Chelsea winger is likely to play. “All the players we are counting on are in a good physical condition,” he added.
Ireland received a good deal of criticism for their performance against Russia, who dominated the game at the Aviva Stadium for 70 minutes before the hosts grabbed two late goals. Weiss, though, does not believe there is any disgrace in losing to Dick Advocaat’s group favourites.
“I was surprised with the score when it was 3-0 but Ireland responded well and almost evened up the game,” he said. “Russia are a great team with great players.”
Weiss also forecast an attractive match tomorrow, declaring Zilina’s pitch the best in the country.