Stan will not rule out Slovakia

Last updated : 14 June 2007 By Paul Jennings
Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton amazingly predicted that Slovakia are still in contention of Euro 2008 qualification despite losing to the Germans last week. They lost 2-1 in Group D to table toppers Germany, after their 1-0 loss at Croke Park in March and other defeats to the Germans and the Czech Republic at home.

Jan Kocian's side are to be Ireland's next opponents on the 8th of September. They stand in fourth place and four behind Ireland, five points away from local rivals the Czechs who are in second place. Stan still feels they have a chance of making next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland.

He said "It's still a three-horse race between ourselves, the Czechs and Slovakia for the second qualifying spot in the group.

"If Slovakia beat us in September they are right back in it, so they can't be written off just yet. There are a lot of big games to be played between the top four."

Team

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

Germany

7

6

1

0

29

4

25

19

Czech Rep

7

4

2

1

15

4

11

14

Rep of Ireland

7

4

1

2

12

8

4

13

Slovakia

7

3

0

4

16

13

3

9

Wales

6

2

1

3

8

9

-1

7

Cyprus

6

1

1

4

9

16

-7

4

San Marino

6

0

0

6

1

36

-35

0