So,
just two more games to go in Group B and the
penultimate fixture was Slovakia against Lads
on Tour. This was top versus bottom and if you
were a betting man you could be forgiven for
putting your bank on a home victory. Be warned
though, we've often seen teams at the bottom
of a group shock those at the top.
Slovakia
were already guaranteed a place in the Cup competition
but a win here would ensure they qualify as
Group B winners and, in theory, ensure an easier
Cup Quarter-Final tie. The game went with the
form book in the early stages as Tomas Macai
and Adam Kovac helped open up a 2-0 lead at
half-time. From there the result was never in
doubt as Macai completed a hat-trick and Kovac
added his second in the game for a 5-0 win.
The
game featured a magic moment when the result
was already decided. Slovakia were looking like
scoring again when a Lads on Tour defender handled
on the line to save a certain goal and pretended
to be injured after the ball had “hit” him in
the chest. It was all done with a laugh and
no pretence of “fooling” the referee. Players
(from both teams) and spectators alike laughed
at the incident. The referee also laughed and
didn't have the heart to send the defender off
as he awarded the penalty (a common sense decision).
Slovakia took it all in good heart as they responded
with a cheeky back-heel penalty (that went wide).
It was all good fun and that's the way these
tournaments should be.
Congratulations
to Slovakia who were crowned Group B champions.
Lads on Tour would progress to the Trophy competition.
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