Slovakia defender Jan Durica has made a sensational claim by stating that England’s win in Trnava was a result of fixing. Adam Lallana scored a last-gasp winner for Sam Allardyce’s side with virtually the last kick of the game to give England all three points in their opening Group F match.
Earlier, Martin Skrtel was sent off with over 30 minutes to play after 2 fouls on Harry Kane. The first one involved the use of an elbow by the former Liverpool man while the second was for a clear stamp on the England forward.
Durica nevertheless feels that the sending off was part of a controversy to ensure England qualify from their group. The Trabzonspor defender vented his frustrations at the officials saying, "There is only one place at the World Cup. Why should Slovakia go there when we have England in the group?”
“Of course, they will always prefer the stronger team. Probably, the referee exactly knew how to do it,” he went on to add. “ I think that the referee waited until Skrtel did a foul. We were really unhappy.”
Also read: 5 players who will benefit during Sam Allardyce's reign as England Manager
The 34-year old also felt that Slovakia were the dominant football team for most of the game and that the Three Lions were lucky to emerge victorious. “Englishmen knew that they are one player more, so, logically, they began pushing forward and creating the pressure. But they did not have clear chances, so that is why we regret it.
“If they would have created some great action and scored nice goal, you say it is okay, but not such as goal in the stoppage time.”
Skrtel deserved another yellow card: Kane
Harry Kane meanwhile, who was on the receiving end of Skrtel’s challenge, feels that the defender was foolish in his approach to defending and could've easily been sent off earlier in the game. “I felt the stamp. The ankle is okay now. I will have a check on it and see if it's fully okay, but there were a few challenges that I felt could have earned him a yellow card but it didn't come.
“It was just a matter of time, it was a silly thing for him to do because he was on a yellow. The ref has seen it and it deserved another yellow card.”
Durica’s comments are expected to land him in some serious trouble with FIFA and the player is widely expected to receive a ban. With Skrtel already suspended, Slovakia can ill afford to lose his centre-half partner as well but that does look the case at the moment.
England’s victory leaves them joint top of the group with Scotland who won 5-1 away at Malta. The Three Lions will be expected to make up that goal difference though, as they host Malta on the 8th of October. Sam Allardyce’s men, who were initially joint favourites with Slovakia to top Group F, are now clearly ahead in the eyes of the bookmakers.
