Slovakia bank on team game

Slovakia became an independent football playing national as late as July 1, 1993 and one of its biggest achievements in its fledgling career has been the qualification for the 2003 Under-20 World Youth Championship which kicks off here on November 27.

Slovakia is grouped with the hosts UAE and two other first-time qualifiers but this east European nation is certainly the team to watch from their 4-team group. When part of Czechoslovakia and prior to independence, Slovak players were part of a strong team with some creditable performances.

These included the European Championship winners title in 1976, again a third place finish in the same tournament in 1980 while in the World Cup itself Czechoslovakia have been runners-up in 1934 and again in 1962.

A strong focus on training and development programmes at the junior level has been the key to Slovakia's qualification for the Youth Cup finals. Last year in the European under-19 championship, Slovakia caused a flutter with a pleasing display.

A third-place finish not only stunned some of their better-known footballing nations on the continent but also helped them clinch a berth in the Under-20 World Cup.

Leading the Slovakian dreams in the UAE edition is Peter Polak, a master coach but not much to show as a former player. Peter has taken advantage of the Slovakian football federation's move to catch players young and has had a lot of success at the lower levels.

His first team Slovan Bratislava won the under-16 national title and since then Peter has done exceptionally well as a coach. In Germany he coached the TSV 1860 Munich under-17 and under-18 teams and that has helped him gain tremendous experience which he has used on the Slovak youth teams.

"We have been working very hard over the past two years to ensure we have more than 11 players who can compete at this level. That is what you need for this type of competition," said Peter, commenting on the FIFA website on the side's qualification for Emirates 2003.

Slovak's player to watch is Marian Kurty, who has a reputation as a highly successful striker. The young star plays for Ruzemberok, a top Slovak club side and is a regular first team player.

Slovakia's qualification for the Youth Cup came from a rather strong pack which included hosts Norway, Spain and the Czech Republic.

Shunned to finish as wooden-spoonists, Slovakia surprised all to finish second in the group and went on to beat fancied Ireland next to take the bronze. It was the first-ever football medal for the young soccer-playing nation and the UAE will be the next stage where the young stars are raring to go.

The draw has already favoured them as they are grouped with hosts UAE and newcomers Panama and Burkina Faso. While all four teams fancy their chances, Slovakia is certainly a team with the credentials to advance further.

And if they earn a favorable draw in the second round, they can progress further to dispel talk that their Norway performance was a flash in the pan.

Slovakia scored 13 goals in Norway but the highlight of their performances has been their team strength. In fact Slovakia does not rely on a few players and this was evident as their goals came from quite a few players.

With players like Marek Cech and Filip Sebo also scoring and striking an effective combination with Kurty. Slovakia will be yet another crowd entertainer during their campaign in the UAE.

Checklist
* Have qualified for the WYC for the first time.
* Bronze medal winners in the European under-19 championship in 2002.
* Joined FIFA only in 1993
* Slovakia is in Group A along with hosts UAE, Burkina Faso and Panama.
* Venue of group matches: Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium (Al Jazira) in Abu Dhabi