Monday, May 31, 2010

Skrtel makes final Slovakia squad

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Watch highlights of Slovakia's World Cup qualifying campaign

Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss has gambled on the fitness of four players, including Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, in his 23-man World Cup squad.

Skrtel, who has been out with a broken metatarsal since February, came through Saturday's 1-1 draw against Cameroon.

Captain Martin Hamsik also played but Filip Holosko and Robert Vittek, who are in the squad, sat out the friendly.

Slovakia's most experienced player, Mainz midfielder Miroslav Karhan, 33, is out with an Achilles injury.

Weiss admitted he has taken a gamble on Turkish-based strike duo Holosko and Vittek.

Holosko, who broke his leg last year, was not able to train with the team until Monday, while Vittek has been struggling with a knee injury.

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"It was a tough decision. Holosko isn't 100% fit. Or, he may be fit but we don't know what to expect in a real match. It's the same with Vittek. We'll see in the next few days," said Weiss.

Leeds United defender Lubomir Michalik was cut from the initial 29-man squad, but West Brom's Marek Cech and the coach's son, Man City midfielder Vladimir Weiss, who ended last season on loan at Bolton, were named in the squad.

Chelsea youngster Miroslav Stoch was also included, the 20-year-old attacking midfielder having enjoyed a successful loan spell at FC Twente, scoring 12 goals as he helped them win the Dutch title.

WORLD CUP PHOTO ALBUM

Slovakia booked their place at the World Cup finals for the first time after topping European qualifying group three.

They have been drawn in Group F for the finals in South Africa and will take on New Zealand, Paraguay and defending champion Italy in South Africa.


Slovakia Squad:

Goalkeepers: Jan Mucha (Legia Warsaw), Dusan Kuciak (Vaslui), Dusan Pernis (Dundee United);

Defenders: Peter Pekarik (Wolfsburg), Martin Petras (Cesena), Martin Skrtel (Liverpool), Jan Durica (Hannover), Radoslav Zabavnik (Mainz), Marek Cech (West Brom), Kornel Salate (Slovan Bratislava).

Midfielders: Kamil Kopunek (Spartak Trnava), Jan Kozak (Timisoara), Juraj Kucka (Sparta Prague), Marek Sapara (Ankaragucu), Marek Hamsik (Napoli), Vladimir Weiss (Manchester City), Miroslav Stoch (Chelsea), Zdeno Strba (Xanthi);

Forwards: Erik Jendrisek (Schalke), Robert Vittek (Ankaragucu), Martin Jakubko (Saturn Moscow), Filip Holosko (Besiktas), Stanislav Sestak (Bochum).

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