Hertha Berlin man Ondrej Duda (r.) potentially saved Slovakia team-mate Martin Skrtel's (l.) life. - © © gettyimages / Joe Klamar
Hertha Berlin man Ondrej Duda (r.) potentially saved Slovakia team-mate Martin Skrtel's (l.) life. - © © gettyimages / Joe Klamar

Hertha Berlin's Ondrej Duda saves Martin Skrtel in Slovakia game in Thailand

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Quick-thinking Hertha Berlin midfielder Ondrej Duda helped avert a potential tragedy by moving swiftly to help the unconscious Martin Skrtel during Slovakia's friendly in Thailand on Sunday.

Skrtel, the former Liverpool defender who is currently at Fenerbahce, was knocked unconscious when he was struck full in the face by the ball 27 minutes into his country's game in Bangkok.

Duda, who had given his team an early 1-0 lead, quickly put his fingers into his captain's mouth to retrieve his tongue, which could have blocked Skrtel's windpipe.

After treatment, Skrtel returned to the pitch, and Duda set up the decisive third for Slovakia as they claimed a 3-2 win against the hosts in the final of a four-team tournament that also featured Gabon and the United Arab Emirates.

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