World Cup Group F preview: New Zealand v Slovakia
Slovakia came top of their qualifying group and are playing in their first World Cup, while New Zealand are competing in only their second finals.
Slovakia have a wealth of young talent, epitomised by captain Marek Hamšik (in picture). The Napoli playmaker enjoyed a fine season in Serie A, and will be the key man for the debutants. As well as Hamšik, coach Vladimir Weiss has the likes of his son to play, and Weiss Jnr will be joined by Martin Škrtel in defence and Miroslav Stoch on the wings.
Striker Stanislav Šesták was Slovakia’s top goal scorer during qualification, and Weiss Snr will be looking to the Bochum frontman to grab the goals.
New Zealand have only been in one World Cup, back in 1982. They lost all three of their group games and only scored two goals.
The Kiwis didn’t give a good account of themselves at last year’s Confederations Cup, conceding an 11-minute hat-trick to Fernando Torres in the 5-0 defeat to Spain and failing to score a goal.
New Zealand’s form heading into this match is not impressive, as they have only won one of their last five friendly matches. They also have a lot of inexperienced players, something you don’t need at this kind of international level.
Slovakia will fancy their chances of progressing from this group, and with Italy and Paraguay still to come, three points looks likely from today’s encounter.
New Zealand vice-captain Tim Brown will not take part after failing to recover from a shoulder injury. Ryan Nelsen should make the starting line-up after recovering from an ear infection.
The most capped player for Slovakia, Miroslav Karhan, is out of the match through injury. Martin Škrtel is expected to play, with a knock on his ankle unlikely to hold him back.
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