Slovakia wary of Paraguay’s strikers ahead of Bloemfontein clash

BLOEMFONTEIN - Slovakia have pinpointed Paraguay’s strikers as the biggest threat when the two teams clash in the football World Cup in Bloemfontein Sunday.

Coach Vladimir Weiss named Manchester City’s Roque Santa Cruz, Borussia Dortmund’s Lucas Barrios and Benfica’s Oscar Cardozo as the danger-men his team would have to look out for.

“Tomorrow we will have to run much more and much more quickly,” Weiss said on the eve of the game at the Free State stadium.

“We will also have to be more disciplined,” he added.

The Slovakian coach was referring to his team’s opening match in Group F, a 1-1 draw with New Zealand.

That game, in which the perceived minnows, the All Whites, scored an equaliser three minutes into stoppage time, was a “small sporting tragedy,” Weiss said.

“But we have dealt with it and we are physically and theoretically prepared for Paraguay,” he added.

Asked if he planned to shuffle his squad, Vittek replied: “There will be some changes.” However, he refused to elaborate.

Both teams go into the game level on points but Paraguay play New Zealand in their last match while Slovakia face current World Champions Italy.

In their first game, Paraguay held Italy to a 1-1 draw, scoring through the only shot they managed to get on target, a header by defender Antolin Alcaraz.

But Robert Vittek, who scored his side’s goal against New Zealand, said he agreed with Weiss’ assessment of Paraguay’s potential firepower.

Slovakia would approach the game against Paraguay “like a final,” he added

“If we win we are with one leg in the second round,” the Bochum striker said, adding the South Americans’ playing style suited Slovakia.

“They are not like New Zealand who had seven or eight men in defence,” Vittek said. “We play better against stronger teams.”