Slovakia 2 - 1 N Ireland: Battling Irish suffer customary fall at first hurdle

GOALS from defender Martin Skrtel and midfielder Marek Hamsik gave Slovakia a 2-1 home win over Northern Ireland in their World Cup Group Three qualifier.

Liverpool's Skrtel opened the scoring in the 46th minute when he headed past visiting keeper Maik Taylor after Marek Sapara's free kick from the left.

Hamsik put the home side further ahead in the 70th minute to put Slovakia well on their way to their first win under new coach Vladimir Weiss.

Northern Ireland pulled one back when Slovak defender Jan Durica scored an own goal in the 81st minute.

"It is a very important victory, the first game is always very tough," Weiss told reporters. "It was likely to be the most difficult match of their lives, as it was mine."

Northern Ireland coach Nigel Worthington said his side had woken up too late in the match and also blamed poor discipline for the defeat.