Slovak setback offers glimmer of hope
SCOTLAND’s performance against Lithuania will have left many supporters feeling somewhat dispirited about the nation’s World Cup qualifying prospects but, for those who like to take a glass half-full approach to life, good news of sorts arrived from Ljubljana where Slovakia, second seeds in the group, lost to a Slovenia side who were vastly superior on the night.
It might not matter much in the bigger picture given events at Hampden but may offer Scotland a glimmer of hope before they travel to Trnava on Tuesday to take on Slovakia for what now looks like a must-win for both teams – if such a phrase is still in circulation.
The only goal of this match arrived after 75 minutes and was well merited on the balance of play, Slovenian substitute Rok Kronaveter ramming a low shot past Matus Kozacik in the Slovakian goal after being picked out by Josip Ilicic. On this evidence, perhaps Scotland should be grateful it is Slovakia and not Slovenia they are facing next.
Slovakia have decent pedigree. On this day two years ago they were beating Spain as part of a sixgame winning sequence that paved the way for Euro 2016 qualification, while in the opening match of this campaign it took a 95th-minute goal from Adam Lallana to seal England’s victory against them. On a cold night in Ljubljana, however, there was little sign of that stoicism or class as they struggled to make any kind of impression against a Slovenian side ranked 39 places below them. A Robert Mak shot easily saved by Jan Oblak late in the first half was the closest they came to scoring during an under-par performance.
Granted, they were missing several key players. Defenders Peter Pekarik and Norbert Gyomber, and midfielders Ondrej Duda and Viktor Pecovsky, were all absent due to injury, while former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel was suspended following his red card against England. There was also no Vladimir Weiss, the former Ranger on the Slovakian naughty step after refusing to take a breathalyser test after being stopped by police last weekend. Only Skrtel of that group is expected to return for the match against Scotland in midweek.
Slovakia did, however, have Marek Hamsik, the Napoli forward captaining the side on the occasion of his 93th cap. His Mohican haircut makes him instantly recognisable but he would stand out with a short back and sides given the talent he possesses. He tucked in behind striker Mak in Kozak’s 3-5-1-1 formation although was also given licence to drop deeper into midfield to fetch possession whenever he saw fit. Almost every Slovakian move went through him, even if they barely threatened the Slovenian goal. By the end Hamsik was reduced to a fringe role like the rest of his team-mates.
Instead it was the home side who posed the greater attacking threat, although there weren’t many chances for either side. Strachan, when he pores over the tape of this game, will surely notice the joy Slovenia got from quickly closing down Kozacik, forcing him to make several scrambled clearances. The goalkeeper, though, should have been beaten late in the first half but was able to stick up a hand to divert Roman Bezjak’s shot on to his crossbar. Given the space he was afforded, the striker ought to have scored regardless. Slovenia would have merited a half-time lead.
They were the better side again in the second period but Kronaveter’s goal sparked Slovakia belatedly into life, prompting coach Jan Kozak to make a triple substitution but the home side held on for a well-deserved win.