Vittek double spurs Slovakia

Cyprus 1-3 Slovakia

Three in two games 
ŠK Slovan Bratislava forward Vittek scored a goal in either half to give his side a deserved victory. The 20-year-old had scored Slovakia's goal in their 2-1 defeat by Romania yesterday and will hope to carry that goalscoring form into Slovakia’s forthcoming UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifiers.

Early goal 
Slovakia dominated in the early stages, taking the lead in the first minute when Luboš Reiter pounced on a loose ball after a goalmouth scramble to prod the ball into the net from close range. Despite controlling the match from midfield, Slovakia were exposed to counterattacks and in the 40th minute Cyprus equalised against the run of play as Rainer Raufmann rounded the goalkeeper to slot the ball into an empty net.

Control regained 
Moments after Cyprus defender Panagiotis Spyrou had hit the post, Slovakia regained control of the match with Vittek putting the visitors ahead from close range in the 65th minute. The hosts surged forward in search of an equaliser and were unlucky not to draw level as Marios Neophytou hit the woodwork and Costas Charalambides had a goal ruled out for offside.

Out of reach 
However, Vittek put the match beyond the Cypriots' reach in the 85th minute with his second of the match. In their next EURO 2004™ qualifier on 29 March, Slovakia travel to F.Y.R Macedonia. The Slovakians are bottom of Group 7 after two straight defeats.