Slovakia midfielder Miroslav Stoch believes there is absolutely “no pressure” on his side ahead of their second-round match against the Netherlands. (Slovakia 15/2 to win the match)
The Slovakians campaign had been described as a ‘miracle’ by the press but the side have impressed during the tournament and reached the knockout stages thanks to a 3-2 win against World Champions Italy.
Two goals from Robert Vittek and a Kamil Kopúnek a helped the Slovakians to a 3-2 victory to send the Slovakians through to the knockout rounds in their first World Cup finals.
“We didn’t have anything to lose because no one expected us to beat Italy, they had all the pressure,” said midfielder Mioslav Stoch, who plies his club trade with Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
“It will be similar against the Dutch because they have to win, they are expected to, and the pressure will be on them.
“Whereas we again will have nothing to lose. Nobody expected us to go through then and no one expects us to now.”
The Slovaks now go on to face a Dutch team who have been highly impressive during the Group stages, comfortably winning all three of their games and Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss acknowledges that his side are truly up against it as they face a side with some of the best players in the world.
“The Dutch are a fantastic team,” he said. “They have a lot of players who play in the best club teams in the world, and with good coaches.
“They are one of the favourites in the tournament but you never know. It is like when we played against Italy, we have a good spirit and we must impress.”
“The favourites are the Dutch, like the Italians were, but you never know. We’ll see,” he added.
Slovakia’s fate may lay at the feet of playmaker Marek Hamsik who is integral to the Slovakians play and is their one truly top-class player.
Hamsik set-up two of Slovakia’s goals against Italy and is now set for a move to one of Europe’s top clubs.
He currently plays for Napoli in Serie A and last season steered them to sixth place in Serie A as well as pitching in with 12 goals. (Hamsik 15/1 to score the first goal).
“He’s a world-class player,” said Weiss. “He’s always put in great performances wherever I’ve positioned him, and it’s for all those reasons that I decided to make him captain.”
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