Czech Republic 2-3 Turkey

Czech coach Karel Bruckner recalled Jan Koller the lead the attack and it quickly paid off. A weakness in the centre of the Turkish defence was evident in their first two group games and in the early going Koller exploited it.

The Czech settled into a early rhythm as they looked to find Koller at every opportunity and to feed off his knock downs and flicks. However, the Czech tactics came with a price tag and it was the big striker who was footing the bill (I could have said writing the cheque!) as he took a battering from the Turkish back four.

Just as Turkey seemed to be finding their game with some tidy possession football the Czechs took a well-deserved lead. Galloping down the right side on the overlap Grygera whipped in a cross just behind Koller. The striker managed to reposition himself and the resulting header flew into the roof of the net.

The Czechs rode the goal to half time with Turkey showing little response to going a goal down. However, it was a very different Turkish side that came out for the second half and pressed the Czechs at every opportunity. Even when the Czechs went to up against the run of play it only served to reinvigorate a Turkey side that just would not give up.

The second Czech goal came after a quick free kick was fed out to Sionko who crossed invitingly to the far post. Plasil arrived at a rate of knots to complete a very smart move. Excellent goal.

But even at 2-0 there were the seeds of defeat in the Czechs play. Where in the first half the team pressed forward and allowed the likes Sionko, Matejovsky and Polak to support and feed off Koller, in the second half the Czechs lost that shape and large gaps started forming between midfield, Koller and the support strikers.

Koller’s legs were the first to go but he would not be the last. Incredibly, Bruckner stubbornly stuck with the first half goal scorer rather than looking to the likes of the mobile Baros or Sverkos the scorer of the winner against Switzerland. As the Czechs failed to hold possession up front the pressure mounted on the midfield and the defence as Turkey continued to swarm the Czechs at will.

With quarter of an hour left Arda Turan stepped up to give Turkey hope as he reduced the deficit  to one but still Bruckner stuck with Koller. Kadlec and Vlcek came on for Plasil and Sionko but neither moved threatened to turn the tide. Almost every Czech player was being outworked, out tackled and out fought by a younger and much fitter Turkish team.

However, with three minutes to go it looked as if the Czech Republic would hang on. Little did we realize that we still had the most astonishing finish since Spain scored twice in injury time to beat Yugoslavia 4-3 at Euro 2000 in store.

First Cech dropped a routine cross at the feet of Nihat who gratefully slipped the ball into an empty net.

Then just two minutes later the Turkish captain caught Jankulovski a step behind the other defenders, sprung the offside trap and thumped a shot over the oncoming Cech, off the underside of the bar and into the net.

Turkey led 3-2 but there was more still in store. A stramash in the Turkish box ended with the ball rolling wide of an empty goal but after it had gone out of play Demirel took a pop at Koller and deservedly got sent off. After having used all their substitutes, Turkey finished the match with ten men and with Tuncay Sanli in goal.

The Czechs leave the tournament after the coach who put them in a position to move on, in turn became the coach whose decision to stick with Jan Koller killed their chances.

Portugal 0-2 Switzerland

Switzerland finish bottom of Group A but leave the tournament with a win.

Comment of the Day
“But the pluses(for Portugal) are not merely Deco back on top form controlling midfield alongside Joao Moutinho, but also Cristiano Ronaldo, a player capable of turning games even if he is not playing especially well.

It feels like a Life of Brian “What did the Romans ever do for us?” comment, but aside from creating two goals and scoring one, Ronaldo did little against the Czechs. They almost succeeded in isolating him, but almost with Ronaldo is not enough.” – Jonathan Wilson in the Financial Times.


Other goings on
It is a World Cup qualifying weekend in Africa, Asia, South America and CONCACAF. There were a few shocks in Africa yesterday with Angola, Egypt, Ghana and Morocco all losing while Cameroon and the Ivory Coast both drew.

However, this is only the half way point in a preliminary qualifying stage so it might be a bit premature to think realistically that some of these countries are going to miss out on the first World Cup Finals in Africa.

The prelim stage has 12 groups with the winners and 8 best runners up moving onto a final; group stage of four teams in five groups. Winners will then join the host nation South Africa in 2010. World Cup qualifying in Africa also doubles up for the African Cup of Nations Finals and that is why South Africa is involved.

An update of the current group standings in Africa can be found by following the link.


One country that will not be in South Africa in two years time is 2002 qualifiers China. Consecutive losses to Qatar and yesterday to Iraq put paid to Chinese hopes. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Japan, North and South Korea, Bahrain and Uzbekistan are all guaranteed a place in the final stage of Asia qualifying.

The remaining two places will be decided next weekend with Iraq up against Qatar in Group 1 and UAE or Syria in Group 5.

An update of the current group standings in Asia can be found by following the link.


Two games in South American qualifying were played yesterday and both finished in 1-1 draws – Uruguay at home to Venezuela and Peru at home to Colombia. The other games scheduled for today are Paraguay vs. Brazil; Argentina vs. Ecuador; Bolivia vs. Chile.

Yesterday’s draw puts Venezuela into fifth place in the group (a place above Uruguay) and they have a solid chance of maintaining that position after today’s games.

Paraguay could give Brazil are real run for their money I fancy.

An update of the current group standings in CONMEBOL can be found by following the link.


And last but definitely not least we have CONCACAF qualifying. Canada hopes to start a journey that will conclude with their first appearance at the World Cup finals since 1986 while the USA want to make it six consecutive appearances at the finals.

This preliminary round generally keeps the traditionally more powerful nations apart and matches then with non-traditional soccer powers in a home and away series. The chances of a real shock or two are not high but from time to time the bigger countries only squeak past the “minnows”.

Costa Rica made it to Germany in 2006 but they had to rely on the away goals rule to get past Cuba at this stage four years ago. And after yesterday’s result against Grenada they may have a tough time again.

Costa Rica was down 2-0 after less than thirty minutes before finally drawing 2-2 in St Georges. So a warning to Canada (vs. St. Vincent and the Grenadines) and to the USA (vs. Barbados) who both play today.

Honduras is already through to the next stage after drawing 2-2 with Puerto Rico yesterday after winning the first leg 4-0.

A CONCACAF schedule and scores to date can be found by following the link.

Switzerland 0-1 Czech Republic

Instantly forgettable that was this match was. Oh well it is not as if we have not become use to poor opening games at major championships. Neither side showed anything that would make you look forward to their next game.


The Swiss midfield four got the better of a five man Czech configuration. Behrami, Fernandes, Inler and Barnetta were brighter, more mobile and quickly closed a down Czechs. However, they lacked someone able to play a killer pass into the penalty box and for all their hard work they rarely threatened.

Sionko’s pace and willingness to take players was the only thing that stood out in largely pedestrian Czech midfield. In fact pedestrian pretty much describes this Czech team. Although they clearly miss Nedved and Rosicky in midfield it is the demise of Jan Koller as a regular and persistent threat that has impacted the Czechs the most.

His substitution after less than an hour came as no surprise and now Coach Karl Bruckner must choose between the ageing Koller and Václav Sverkoš who replaced him and scored the only goal.

On Wednesday the Czechs play Portugal while the Swiss need at least a point against Turkey.

Officials note – Italy’s Roberto Rosetti had a good game although it was not a difficult one to handle. Despite the match commentator referring to two controversial handballs there was nothing controversial about either incident. Referee got both calls right.



Portugal 2-0 Turkey

The second game of the day was much more pleasing on the eye as both teams attempted to play the ball to feet and to build attacks for the most part. Portugal was by far the better team and in the first half they had a Pepe goal disallowed and a Ronaldo free kick tipped onto the post by Turkish keeper Volkan Demirel.

As the first half progressed Portugal was able to get Deco on the ball more and as he grew in confidence we saw more decisive runs at the Turkish defence. Simao also posed a threat to the Turks every time he attacked. Portugal (and other sides watching) could not but help but see an obvious aerial weakness in the Turkish defence. With every cross delivered from a wide position the Portuguese threatened to score.

The breakthrough goal, when it arrived in the second half, came uncharacteristically from Pepe pushing forward during open play. Under Scolari it is rare to see either of the Portuguese centre backs moving forward for anything other than free kicks and corners.

But no matter, Pepe picked up a loose ball about forty yards from the Turkish goal and pushed towards the heart of the defence. Playing a one-two Pepe was then left alone inside the penalty box and scored with the help of slight deflection of Asik as he scrambled to make a last ditch tackle.

Either side of the Pepe goal Nuno Gomes hit the woodwork twice. However, basing his performance of these two close encounters is deceiving given that he should have been able to take full advantage of a poor Turkish central defensive pairing of Servet Cetin and Gökhan Zan.

Turkey’s main threat came from Nihat but he badly lacked support.  Kazim Kazin (Colin Kazim-Richards formerly of Bury, Brighton and Sheffield United) flattered to deceive on the right side of the midfield as he looked confident and comfortable on the ball but he failed to take advantage of the potential weakness of the right footed Ferreira playing at left back.

Sabri Sarioglu added a bit of pep to Turkey’s play when he came on as substitute but overall Portugal was well deserving of the three points and should be happy with the overall performance.