Description:

The Slovenian A National Team is prepairing its opener vs Algeria in Jo'burg's training centre in Hyde Park High School. The team's got very good conditions, all players are fit, the only small annoyances come from the hard pitch surface, unpredictable ball and thin air.

The defender Marko Suler stated: »The air is even thinner than in the first preparation camp in Brunico thus the ball is quicker. Yes, Jabulani is unpredictable and thus causing us defenders some problems, especially with the long passes. On the other hand people all around the world will want to see many goals so we need to accept it and adapt as quick as possible.«

The Slovenian team is training once a day at the Algeria match kick-off time (1:30 p.m.), then comes the analysis of the last preparation game, then the review of the training sessions which are being filmed and obviously of the next opponent which is well respected by the coach Matjaz Kek: »I studied the Algerian games vs Egypt and some African Nations Cup's games, some of my players play in their cubs along the Algerian fellows so I get enough information to prepare the opener well.«

Also Bojan Jokic feels that the team have adapted well to South Africa: »The food is delicious, the atmosphere very cheerful, it gets dark sooner but we are surprised how warm it is during the day. Unfortunately the winter dry climate makes the pitch surfaces harder and this is causing some problems to me and to my fellows who're suffering sore ankles and smaller back problems. However and all in all we're preparing well and are very confident before the Sunday's game.«

Source: Football Association of Slovenia (NZS)

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