WCQ Preview: Europe - Group 3

Saturday 6th September

16:30 Slovakia - Northern Ireland

16:00 Poland - Slovenia

SLOVAKIA – NORTHERN IRELAND

New Slovak coach Vladimir Weiss will want to finally to lead his side out from under the shadow of neighbours, the Czech Republic, who have been the dominant force out of the two in recent years.

Only a country in its own right since 1993, Slovakia are looking to qualify for their first finals tournament in their short history. They very nearly made it to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but lost out in a play-off against Spain.

Group 3 favourites will be their rivals the Czech Republic and Poland, although the Slovaks and Northern Ireland will want to act as the surprise package in this intriguing group.

Weiss can call upon a host of stars playing their football at big clubs abroad with Martin Skrtel, Marek Cech, Marek Hamsik, and Stanislav Sestak amongst them.

Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington will also be looking to take his nation to their first finals tournament since their heroics at the World Cup in Spain in 1982. If that is to happen, then a good start to their Group 3 campaign away to Slovakia will be important.

That has been the big problem in recent years with 3-0 defeats in their opening fixtures against Spain, Poland and Iceland over the previous six qualification campaigns- blows they never really recovered from.

The good news for this weekend is the availability of both Keith Gillespie and George McCartney following injury. Veteran Roy Carroll is an absentee though after stating he would only travel if he was a guaranteed starter.

Slovakia Squad:

Goalkeepers: Stefan Senecky (Ankaraspor), Jan Mucha (Legia Warsaw).

Defenders: Martin Skrtel (Liverpool), Jan Durica (Saturn), Peter Pekarik (Zilina), Martin Petras (US Triestina), Marek Cech (West Brom), Radoslav Zabavnik (Terek Groznyi).

Midfielders: Miroslav Karhan (Mainz 05), Marek Sarapa (Rosenborg), Marek Hamsik (Napoli), Stanislav Sestak (Bochum), Dusan Svento (Slavia Prague), Zdeno Strba (Zilina), Jan Kozak (Artmedia).

Forwards: Filip Holosko (Besiktas), Marek Mintal (Nuremberg), Robert Vittek (Nuremberg), Martin Jakubko (Khimki), Filip Sebo (Valenciennes).

Northern Ireland squad:

Goalkeepers: M Taylor (Birmingham City), A Mannus (Linfield), J Tuffey (Partick Thistle).

Defenders: C Baird (Fulham), S Craigan (Motherwell), G McAuley (Ipswich Town), J Evans (Manchester United), M Duff (Burnley), R McGivern (Manchester City), G McCartney (Sunderland), A Hughes (Fulham).

Midfielders: S Davis (Rangers), K Gillespie (Sheffield United), M O'Connor (Crewe Alexandra), S Clingan (Norwich City), C Brunt (West Bromwich Albion), D Shiels (Hibernian).

Forwards: D Healy (Sunderland), P Thompson (Stockport County), W Feeney (Cardiff City - on loan at Dundee United), M Paterson (Burnley).

POLAND - SLOVENIA

Following a largely disappointing Euro 2008 finals tournament, Poland trainer Leo Beenhakker will turn his attention to mounting a serious bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and try to repeat the impressive campaign, which saw Poland make it to Austria/ Switzerland this summer.

A point against Austria was their only reward for their efforts after suffering defeats at the hands of both Germany and Croatia. The squad however has seen a number of changes with a fair few newcomers being given the chance to impress.

The absence of keeper Artur Boruc and midfielder Dudka through suspension is a blow, but Leo Beenhakker can still call upon the talents of naturalised Brazilian Roger and striker Ebi Smolarek.

Slovenia under Matjaž Kek are looking to qualify for their second World Cup although they know they face a long hard struggle in this group. A good result against Poland though would set them on their way nicely.

The side is composed of a number of player plying their trade abroad, which has added quality to the national team overall. Keeper Handanovic plays for Udinese, defenders Cesar and Jokic play in France, Robert Koren is in the Premier League with West Brom midfield, while Köln striker Milivoj Novakovic is their best known and potentially most dangerous player.

Poland Squad:

Goalkeepers: Łukasz Fabiański (Arsenal), Wojciech Kowalewski (Iraklis), Łukasz Załuska (Dundee United)

Defenders: Mariusz Jop (FK Moscow), Marcin Wasilewski (Anderlecht), Michał Żewłakow (Olympiakos), Bartosz Bosacki (Lech Poznan), Grzegorz Wojtkowiak (Lech Poznan), Piotr Polczak (Cracovia), Seweryn Gancarczyk (Metalist Karkov), Marcin Kowalczyk (Dinamo Moscow)

Midfielders: Jacek Krzynówek (Wolfsburg), Jakub Błaszczykowski (Borussia Dortmund), Robert Lewandowski (Lech Poznan), Guerreiro Roger (Legia Warsaw), Mariusz Lewandowski (Shakhtar Donetsk), Rafał Murawski (Lech Poznan), Tomasz Bandrowski, (Lech Poznań), Łukasz Piszczek (Hertha Berlin)

Forwards: Euzebiusz Smolarek (Racing Santander), Wojciech Łobodziński (Wisła Kraków), Paweł Brożek (Wisła Kraków), Rafał Boguski (Wisła Kraków)

Slovenia squad

Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovic (Udinese), Aleksander Seliga (Celje).

Defenders: Bostjan Cesar (Marseille), Luka Elsner (Domzale), Branko Ilic (Real Betis), Bojan Jokic (Sochaux), Mitja Morec (CSKA Sofia), Marko Suler (Gent).

Midfielders: Valter Birsa (Sochaux), Miso Brecko (Cologne), Andrej Komac (Djurgardens), Robert Koren (West Bromwich Albion), Andraz Kirm (Domzale), Darjan Matic (Interblock), Luka Zinko (Domzale), Anton Zlogar (Omonia).

Forwards: Zlatko Dedic (Frosinone), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Gent), Mirnes Sisic (Olympiacos), Milivoje Novakovic (Cologne)