Slovensko 4 - 0 Benin (393519776)

25130 punters turned up at Midori Doragon, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Semih Dirar was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Norbert Pašek and Gustavo Adolfo Neira. Slovensko had chosen a strategic 3-4-3 formation. Starters: Kriško - Mlynčok, Náter, Macinský - Cagala, Zeller, Sláva, Gecelovský - Švehlan, Minčák, Gregoš.

Benin tactics involved an interesting 4-5-1 combination. Lineup: Suka - Ahouéya, Boni, Pognon, Ahoueya - Kouandété, Suka, Wassiou, Tchomogo, Gaspoz - Boco.

Today, Slovensko's strategy involved concentrating on the flanks for their attacks. As the 5 minute mark approached, the Slovensko coach decided it was time for a substitution. D. Švehlan reluctantly made way for B. Bátkovský on the pitch. With 26 minutes played B. Bátkovský almost put the home team one ahead on a cross coming in from the right, but the shot went just wide. Benin's counterattacks created a good chance for O. Suka on the right after 27 minutes, but he could only look on with dismay as his strike rebounded off the crossbar. Slovensko fans held their breath as R. Mlynčok scampered down the left side. He successfully avoided all challenges and cracked home the shot for 1 - 0! With 31 minutes played, Slovensko put themselves up 2 - 0 when the visiting defenders lost the ball to K. Macinský, who came up from the left and proceeded to coolly round the keeper and knock the ball home. Confident in their lead, Slovensko's players relaxed and focused more on defending the lead than increasing it. What was A. Wassiou thinking? That's what everyone wondered when, for no apparent reason, he shot a cross pass over his own penalty area, giving Ľ. Gecelovský an extra chance, but unfortunately for Slovensko, he didn't get the shot right. 2 - 0 was the score after the first half. Slovensko had most of the ball, with 58 percent of possession.

Content with how the game was proceeding, the Slovensko coach let L. Fecko replace T. Minčák after 46 minutes. In an effort to secure the lead, Slovensko changed their tactic after 46 minutes. Slovensko's R. Gregoš swung in a good chance from the left, but the visitors' defence were able to clear the ball. Ľ. Gecelovský could have put Slovensko up one more, but he fired into the side netting after breaking free on the left after 66 minutes. 67 minutes into the game Benin managed a counterattack, but C. Gaspoz took a soft shot from the left flank that was easy prey for the alert keeper. Although the whole team were struggling to impress, Benin's J. Tchomogo was singled out as being the problem as he was called off the pitch after 70 minutes. O. Egharevba was given a chance to change things around. With 75 minutes played, the Benin coach decided a substitution may help turn the game around. M. Seka came on, O. Suka had to leave the fray. Benin needed a fresh pair of legs on the field, and after 78 minutes C. Suka made way for U. Amoussou. Ľ. Gecelovský left the field with a smile on his face as he was substituted 80 minutes into the game, as his team was in the lead. D. Turčík was the replacement. After 80 minutes, the away team failed to deal with a good exchange of passes on the right, and B. Bátkovský gave the Slovensko supporters even more to cheer about when he increased the lead to 3 - 0. After 81 minutes, Slovensko's R. Gregoš swiftly ran past A. Boni and nutmegged the keeper! 4 - 0. Possession in this half belonged to Slovensko, who controlled the ball 58 percent of the time.

Most important Slovensko player was B. Bátkovský. However, R. Mlynčok made a disastrous appearance. U. Amoussou performed admirably for Benin. O. Egharevba on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 4 - 0.