Russia vs Slovakia

Russia 1 - 0 Slovakia

Slovakia caused a major upset this afternoon when they travelled to Moscow and defeated the Group B favourites Russia 1-0 to upset predictions in Ireland's group of the UEFA 2012 Championship qualifying series.

Slovakia scored the critically important goal in the 27th minute of the match through Miroslav Stoch and while Russia were on top for much of the game afterwards they failed to claim an equaliser.

Stoch cut into the Russia defence from the left wing and hammered a right-foot shot high into the far corner for a goal that was calculated to inspire.

Manager Dick Advocaat declared himself happy with the return when he guided Russia for the first time in their opening match in the qualifying series and they defeated Andorra 2-0 in Andorra.

They came back strongly against Slovakia as they sought an equalising goal. They had the ball in the net in the second half but their claims were correctly disallowed because of an offside decision.

The result should be a huge incentive for Ireland for it confirms that Russia, who are going through a period of transition, may not be as strong as was originally feared.

Slovakia competed in the World Cup finals in South Africa in June and they showed the benefits of regular matches together. Their win over Russia meant they went to the top of the table in Group B, a position Ireland can take from them if they succeed in defeating Andorra by more than one goal.

Slovakia won their opening game of the tournament when they scored a goal in added time to defeat Macedonia 1-0.

We could top the group tonight lads!! 

Edited by deisedevil - 07 Sep 2010 at 2:01pm

simon - I see Vitek, he miss, but Sestak is out of form and who would be benched instead him? - stoch,hamsik,jendrisek or sign off weiss?As a winger is Sestak poor in one to one play and static, hamsik, stoch working hard as you told, they are everywhere and Weiss with more game minutes in Rangers he will improve during the season. We play after october games, in next year march-jun against Andora and autumn rest of the games, till this time youngsters will more mature, somebody new could be added who jump in and we could be far better team, but without sestak he will almost thirty etc... Today Holosko if showed more quality in combination with head, we could win 3-0. But in situations two to two, two to one in many situations he was very poor. Holosko is especialy runner, he work hard with aggression, this is very opposite against Sestak who no working hard enough and is too static. Vitek know lock a ball when we need and play better combinations. We need in future striker who is more complete player. Jendrisek is slowly improving, but he need play first eleven in Schalke, or Sylvester if improved it could be interesting to see.

You right hamsik played very well, I hope Kucka take little break after 16 games in two months for games in October, because in Armenia with poor performance we can easily drop points, but they look mature team, who is not childish...

Arhat123 wrote: simon - I see Vitek, he miss, but Sestak is out of form and who would be benched instead him? - stoch,hamsik,jendrisek or sign off weiss?As a winger is Sestak poor in one to one play and static, hamsik, stoch working hard as you told, they are everywhere and Weiss with more game minutes in Rangers he will improve during the season. We play after october games, in next year march-jun against Andora and autumn rest of the games, till this time youngsters will more mature, somebody new could be added who jump in and we could be far better team, but without sestak he will almost thirty etc... Today Holosko if showed more quality in combination with head, we could win 3-0. But in situations two to two, two to one in many situations he was very poor. Holosko is especialy runner, he work hard with aggression, this is very opposite against Sestak who no working hard enough and is too static. Vitek know lock a ball when we need and play better combinations. We need in future striker who is more complete player. Jendrisek is slowly improving, but he need play first eleven in Schalke, or Sylvester if improved it could be interesting to see. You right hamsik played very well, I hope Kucka take little break after 16 games in two months for games in October, because in Armenia with poor performance we can easily drop points, but they look mature team, who is not childish...

I like Sestak style.He is our Inzaghi.He has the same smell for goals and can pick right place in box.
I expected more from Holosko today.This game was made to suit him!But midfield was to busy defending and right side was dead for attacks with Karhan.He cant do combinations thats right.
Armenia is going to be tricky game and with trying to win some players have to play carefully cos 2 yellows.

Propagandhi® wrote: I predict that we will show Russia too much respect and get a spanking against Slovakia.

Good to see your backing Ireland all the way! Let's hope your predictions are wrong

cps89- you right, if Ireland beat Russia, for them begining serious trouble, because every next dropped point make them out not only from first position, but possibly from second. If everybody earn 18 points (maccedonia,armenia,andorra) there sure Ireland or Slovakia make more than 24 points, what is Russians maximum, next draw in Slovakia, or in Macedonia sign them off definitely...you right.

But on the other hand propagandhi seen thinking about that, if Russia beat Ireland what will happen in Irish players heads. it is not good draw for you, because after four days you come to Zilina and we know, that we going sign off Ireland and you need three points back..

Some result in Russia, Surley this is a confidence boost for us as now we will go into the game knowing that Russia are well and truly beatable, Not only away, But at home aswell.

Carmody 10 wrote: Some result in Russia, Surley this is a confidence boost for us as now we will go into the game knowing that Russia are well and truly beatable, Not only away, But at home aswell.   Bring on the russians and lets kill them off early !   GWAN IRELAND

everybody is beatable in national football between first three pots, but have you seen todays Russians game? is hard to say Russians played bad football, they had several semi-chances they no dissapointed me, but we Slovaks were very tricky [;) with seven defence orientated players] be aware of Russians.