WC2010 review: Slovakia

The 2010 World Cup was a complete success for Slovakia who were in the tournament for the first time as an independent nation.

In a group that they probably were not expected to qualify from, they produced when needed and got through to the Round of 16 at the expense of reigning world champions Italy.

Led by promising midfielder Marek Hamsik and star striker Robert Vittek, Slovakia can be proud of a solid performance in South Africa and things from here can only get better now they understand what it takes to make it on the world stage, especially after narrowly going down to Holland, who are now in the final.

Finished: 16th
Record: Wins – 1; Draws – 1; Losses – 2; Points – 4
Matches: New Zealand (1-1), Paraguay (0-2), Italy (3-2), RO16-Holland (1-2)
Goals: 5
Against: 7

tribalfootball.com’s Star Man
Robert Vittek (Four of his teams five goals indicates he had a stellar tournament)

Official statistics

Minutes played
Jan Mucha 360
Jan Durica 360
Martin Skrtel 360
Marek Hamsik 357
Robert Vittek 353

Top scorers
Robert Vittek 4
Kamil Kopunek 1

Total shots
Robert Vittek 11
Marek Hamsik 6
Miroslav Stoch 4

Pass Completion Rate
Martin Skrtel 79%
Peter Pekarik 79%
Jan Durica 76%
Marek Hamsik 73%

Most Fouls
Martin Skrtel 9
Radoslav Zabavnik 8
Roberti Vittek 8
Zdenko Strba 8
Juraj Kucka 7

Yellow cards
Zdenko Strba 2
Jan Mucha 1
Kamil Kopunek 1
Stanislav Sestak 1
Peter Pekarik 1
Jan Durica 1
Vladimir Weiss 1
Juraj Kucka 1
Robert Vittek 1
Martin Skrtel 1

Red cards
none

Saves
Jan Mucha 14