Slovakia's Jan Durica: 'Authorities would prefer England to go to World Cup'

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Slovakia defender Jan Durica suggests that his side's defeat to England was fixed because the referee was 'waiting' to send off Martin Skrtel.

Slovakia defender Jan Durica has suggested that his team's defeat to England was fixed because of Martin Skrtel's sending-off.

The former Liverpool centre-back, who now plays for Fenerbahce, was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card in the 57th minute of the World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

England went on to win the game 1-0 thanks to a 95th-minute strike from Adam Lallana.

Durica has now claimed that Serbian referee Milorad Mazic was 'waiting' to send off Skrtel, which gave the Three Lions an advantage.

"There is only one place at the World Cup - why should Slovakia go there, when we have England in the group?" The Mirror quotes Durica as saying.

"Of course, they will always prefer stronger team. Probably the referee exactly knew how to do it, and it was after a really strict red card. I think that the referee waited until Skrtel did a foul. We were really unhappy.

"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."

England created five shots on target during the match, while Slovakia failed to register a single one.

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1 ChinaChina27282176
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3 UkraineUkraine14101640
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