The Slovakian team was heavily criticised by their own national press after they failed to beat New Zealand in their opening match of the World Cup
Bloemfontein: The Slovakian team was heavily criticised by their own national press after they failed to beat New Zealand in their opening match of the World Cup.
The Slovakian players have since vowed to overcome what was branded by one newspaper back home as their 'moment of shame'. They take on Paraguay on Sunday in their second match of the campaign.
Coach Vladimir Weiss, on Saturday, minced no words in making his frustration toward the step-motherly treatment dished out by the media for his side known.
"I would like to thank the Slovak journalists who are a lot better than the foreign ones," Weiss said, ripping off his headphones after being asked if he respected Paraguay.
"We have to learn from our mistakes," the Liverpool player added, referring to the defensive lapse that led to Kiwi Winston Reid's headed goal.
Slovakia expect Skrtel to show the solidity he displays in his English Premier League performances while the team will count on Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik for delivering the creative input against the South Americans.
They are also hoping that Slovakia's top scorer in the World Cup qualifiers, Stanislav Sestak, of Bundesliga side Bochum, will find the target.
For their part, Paraguay have rejected suggestions that they will fall for the temptation of sitting back and then seeking to strike on the break, safe in the knowledge that the Slovaks face the greater pressure to win of the two.
"We won't play for a draw," Paraguay's Argentinian coach Gerardo Martino said ahead of the Bloemfontein match.
The match will be the first-ever World Cup encounter between the two sides.
Match duel
Skrtel vs Santa Cruz
The Slovakian back four are commanded by Liverpool's robust defender Martin Skrtel. His duel with Paraguan striker Roque Santa Cruz will be a major factor determining which way the match swings as both sides would settle for nothing less than a win.
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