TNT Sports
Slovakia need a miracle
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Published 16/11/2005 at 09:42 GMT
Outspoken Slovakia coach Dusan Galis has followed up his verbal assault on the Spanish by saying "I do believe in miracles". Slovakia trail 5-1 going into the home leg of their World Cup play-off, but the Spanish say they will still "respect" their oppone
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"I do believe in miracles," Galis said on Tuesday.
"We certainly know we have high quality opponents and we also know they have quite a significant advantage before the return match."
Galis wants Slovakia to at the very least play better and come out of Wednesday's match with their pride intact, although he has not given up the ghost on World Cup qualification.
"I think we have to keep our faith in the players. Every coach has to have faith to achieve a good result and we will fight for that," he added.
"We have failed (in the previous match), and I think we have a lot to fix," he said.
Slovakia midfielder Ivan Hodur said the home team want to make up for the embarrassing first leg defeat and that there still was a chance of winning the playoff.
"We want to play for the best possible result, to please the fans, and we want to win, for sure," Hodur said.
"In soccer, anything is possible, and I think if the Spaniards concede two goals, and we have a bit of luck, we could win 4-0," he added.
Spain's demolition of Slovakia - after their opponents conceded a penalty and were reduced to ten-men - means they are almost guaranteed qualification for the World Cup in consecutive tournaments since 1978.
"RESPECT" THE WORD
"This match is definitely not decided," said Valencia's David Villa.
"We cannot get complacent, we have to respect our opponents because we still have 90 minutes ahead of us."
Barcelona defender Carles Puyol said passion and solid defence would be vital.
"We have to go on the pitch with respect," he said.
"We will not try to attack at any cost, we will try to control the ball.
"We will play with the same passion as in the first match, because it is very important."
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