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Slovak footballers wanted to have the full number of six points on their account after the introductory double match of the MS 2022 qualification, but the plans are one thing and the reality another.
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Qualification MS 2022: Slovak disaster against Malta. Scary first …
They did not learn from the goalless draw in Cyprus and after another weak performance they did not win even in Saturday’s home performance against the outsider of the H-group Malta. After half time, they lost 0: 2, with the goals of Dávid Strelec and Milan Škriniar they were able to at least equalize, but not avert the embarrassment.
Apart from the two collected goals, the first-time misery of the favorite was underlined by the fact that he did not send a single shot to the opponent’s goal. The Slovaks were lucky that the spectators could not be spectators for the covid measures, otherwise they would be accompanied by a deafening whistle when they left the locker room.
“The first half was very bad. We knew that the Maltese would play organized and rely on counterattacks. After our mistakes we lost 0: 2 and by the end of the half we were not in our skin at all. In the second we managed to score two quick goals and we also had other chances, unfortunately, we didn’t change them. We lost points that will be difficult to catch. We have to win such matches. “ said Škriniar, who after the replacement of Juraj Kucka entered the second half with the captain’s armband.
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After a short tussle with the defender, the Slovak team gave the home team the lead, but the shot went wide. “We got into this situation ourselves and we have to get out of it ourselves. We need to evaluate these matches and get out of it,” regretted the cowardly entry into the qualification of the Milanese Inter tracker.
In the absence of captain Marek Hamšík and other players, he tried to stir the team and lead by example in his fighting spirit and approach. He threatened the standards, exported the ball, his reward was the first goal for the national team, which he would exchange for three points. “I realize what is expected of me. That I have to take responsibility into my own hands, either verbally or on the field. We all have to do more and start with each other, me first. But most of all, it has to be proven by performances on the field. We only have two points out of two matches and we have to get out of it. “ stated Škriniar.
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Reactions of Slovak football players and coach Štefan Tarkovič after the draw with Malta
Slovakia played the ninth match with Malta and only failed to win for the second time. Although Štefan Tarkovič’s charges are still waiting for eight more matches in the qualification, the closest on Tuesday against Trnava against the so far 100% Russia, after only two rounds they got into a bad situation in terms of progress. Only the winners of the qualifying groups will make it to the championship in Qatar.
“Football is unpredictable. The Maltese took advantage of our mistakes. We tried to reverse it, we settled. We also had other chances, it’s a shame it didn’t fall there. But we can’t give up, we have to look ahead and do everything we can to correct mistakes, “We have to go on with an open mind,” added the extreme defender Martin Koscelník.
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