Karhan's World Cup dream falls apart

The hopes and dreams of qualification for the World Cup 2006 for the Wolves midfielder Miroslav Karhan and his Slowakia side all but disappeared in torrential rain in Spain on Saturday evening. Spain thrashed Slovakia 5-1 in the first leg of their final qualifying clash, and things are looking very bleak for Karhan and co. ahead of the deciding second leg next week. Spain can thank their prolific goal scorers for the superb foundation laid in the Vicente Calderon in Madrid. Liverpool strikers scored four of Spain’s goals, with the ever-dangerous Luis Garcia grabbing a hat trick (8., 16., 74.).

His Liverpool team mate Fernando Morientes scored his side’s fifth goal 11 minutes from time and Fernando Torres scored a goal from the penalty spot (65.) in his home stadium where he plays for Atletico Madrid.

Hope...

The Slovakians and their captian Karhan, were without their goal machine from Nürnberg Marek Mintal. Mintal’s team mate Robert Vittek was in the starting line-up. Things could have worked out differently for the visitors, as they pulled a goal back through Szilard Nemed four minutes after the break to make the score 1-2. That goal was caused by a mix up between Luis Garcia, and keeper Iker Casillas after an awful back pass by the former.

Coach Galis banished to the stands

At that point in time, the Slovakian coach Galis, had raged after the Spanish scored their second goal from what the coach deemed to be an offside position. The referee Massimo De Santis banished him to the stands for his outburst. From there, Galis was forced to watch in agony, as his side seemed to forget all of the good work which had taken them so far in qualification. The Slovakians froze in the face of adversity and panicked.

Karhan suspended

The Slovakian coach was not the only one to receive his marching orders. Marian Had, gifted the Spaniards with their third goal by handling in the area, was sent for an early shower by the referee. He will of course miss the second leg in Bratislava as will Karhan, who picked up a third yellow card. Spain will have to do without David Albelda for the same reason.