Mintál crushes Cypriot challenge

Slovakia seized the early initiative in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group D as they cruised to victory over Cyprus in Bratislava.

Marek Mintál and Filip Sebo both scored twice in an impressive performance with Mintál in particular catching the eye, also setting up three goals. It was the perfect preparation for Dušan Galis's side ahead of their derby meeting with the Czech Republic on Wednesday.

The 1. FC Nürnberg playmaker Mintál was quickly into the action as he sent over a cross from the right which Martin Škrtel met with a fine right-footed shot from ten metres in the ninth minute. And he went from provider to scorer after 33 minutes, clinically finishing from close range following Marek Čech's left-wing delivery.

Slovakia effectively sealed the win three minutes before half-time, with Mintál again the catalyst. He broke down the left and laid the ball inside for Sebo, who slotted home from inside the box. The Rangers FC forward struck again four minutes after the interval. Dušan Švento swung in a dangerous left-wing centre and Sebo did well to take possession, turn and shoot into the bottom-left corner.

Mintál was involved in the fifth goal on 52 minutes as he found Miroslav Karhan who converted from 15 metres. A third goal in seven minutes followed soon after, when Mintál collected a pass from Filip Hološko and fired a right-footed effort low into the net. Cyprus replied in the last minute with a goal that will hardly have counted as a consolation, Yiasoumi Yiasoumis nodding in a free-kick from Constantinos Charalambides. They have to wait until October for a chance to redeem themselves when they host the Republic of Ireland.