Slovakia moved up in the latest FIFA rankings due to their impressive recent results. Slovakia, have shifted 11 positions up and occupied 16th place, previously owned by the Russians.

Vladimir Weiss will stay on as Slovakia coach after signing a new four year deal. The new four-year deal will encompass the qualifying matches for the 2012 European Championships and the 2014 World Cup.

“It would be wrong not to continue to co-operate with Vladimír Weiss,” said SFZ vice-president Stanislav Strapek. “It's good news for Slovak football. I wish the coach good health, the right choices in forming the team, good colleagues and support from the fans.”

Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss has gambled on the fitness of four players, including Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, in his 23-man World Cup squad.

Skrtel, who has been out with a broken metatarsal since February, came through Saturday's 1-1 draw against Cameroon.

Captain Martin Hamsik also played but Filip Holosko and Robert Vittek, who are in the squad, sat out the friendly.

Slovakia's most experienced player, Mainz midfielder Miroslav Karhan, 33, is out with an Achilles injury.

Weiss admitted he has taken a gamble on Turkish-based strike duo Holosko and Vittek.

Slovakia beat off competition from Slovenia, Czech Republic and Poland to qualify for their first World Cup in history. Young Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik is the team's star player and national team coach Vladimir Weiss is full of praise for the attacking midfielder.

"It’s true that there are older and more experienced players in the team, but Marek is incredibly gifted, a world class player and worth his weight in gold," said Weiss to the FIFA website.

Highly rated midfielder Marek Sapara left Norwegian giants Rosenborg for an adventure at Turkcell Super Lig side Ankaragucu last winter and the Slovakian midfielder is hopeful the move will improve his chances of making it to the 2010 World Cup.

"I am very happy at my new club. I needed to change, and wanted to play in bigger leagues and for stronger teams," 27-year-old Sapara was quoted as saying on the official UEFA website.