Slovakia 'keeper expects busy day against Paraguay
Slovakia goalkeeper Jan Mucha expects a busy work day against Paraguay.
The South Americans have a talented crew of strikers, including Borussia Dortmund teammates Nelson Valdez and Lucas Barrios, as well as Manchester City's Roque Santa Cruz and Benfica's Oscar Cardozo.
``They have an unbelievable attack, their offensive power is very, very strong,'' Mucha said. ``So it's going to be a very interesting match from my perspective - there's definitely going to be a lot of work for me.''
Slovakia takes on Paraguay in Group F on Sunday in Bloemfontein.
All four teams in the group have one point.
Slovakia, which is playing in its first major tournament since the former Czechoslovakia divided in 1993, conceded a late goal against New Zealand and was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in its opening match, while Paraguay drew defending champion Italy 1-1.
Mucha, who is leaving Legia Warsaw this offseason to join Everton, said the Slovaks watched Paraguay's opener in South Africa and came away impressed.
``They are technically very skilled, so it surely won't be an easy match,'' Mucha said. ``But as our coach said, we are prepared for it physically and mentally, and this match have a lot of bearing on our situation in the group.''
Against Italy, Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino started Valdez and Barrios, bringing on Santa Cruz - who has been hampered by a leg injury - and Cardozo as second-half substitutes.
No matter who Martino decides to play Sunday, Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss acknowledged his team will have its hands full.
``Barrios, Santa Cruz, Cardozo, they are all taller than 1.9 meters (6 foot 3 inches),'' Weiss said. ``They are very tall, they are very quick, so I would say they have very good strikers. They are very hard working.''
``There is not really a weak point in the team, but every team has some weaknesses, and if we try to find them and take advantage of them then we might have a chance for a good result,'' Weiss said.