Weiss senior backs son to shine

Last updated : 14 June 2010 By Team Talk

Weiss junior, 20, who was on loan at Bolton from Manchester City for the latter part of last season, will almost certainly start in midfield for a Slovakian team participating at a World Cup finals for the first time as an independent nation.

But Weiss senior revealed that the father-coach-son relationship could be tough on both of them.

Weiss said: "He is a very clever boy but it is not easy for him because his coach is his father. And he is not an easy player to coach, but I am sure he will show an excellent performance and will help his team."

Slovakia have been drawn in Group F alongside Italy and Paraguay as well as New Zealand and they are confident of progressing having been impressive in qualifying where they finished above Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Northern Ireland and Poland.

Weiss added: "We are all full of expectation. The atmosphere is very good. It is the peak of the careers of every coach and player and there is a nice tension. We will play with modesty but will be going for a win.

"In our group there is not a top favourite so we will just concentrate on the match ahead of us."

The only doubt is midfielder Miroslav Stoch who has not trained with a knee problem.

Midfield playmaker Marek Hamsik, meanwhile, revealed he was about to sign a new contract at Serie A club Napoli and admitted the Italians would be tough opponents in the group.

Hamsik, 22, said: "Italy have always been one of the favourites at every World Cup and they are the holders of the title.

"They have a great team and many players have experienced the World Cup. Their team is still very strong but I am not thinking about Italy. We are concentrating only on New Zealand.

"I'm very happy the (Napoli) president is content with me and values me. I am about to sign a new contract in a few days."

Slovakia (Probable team): Mucha; Pekarik; Skrtel, Durica, Cech, Weiss, Strba, Hamsik, Stoch, Sestak, Vittek or Holosko.

Source: Team Talk

Source: Team Talk