Shaky Czech national team face Scotland in Euro 2012 qualifier

The Czech men's national team will travel to Scotland Sept. 3 for a crucial Euro 2012 qualifier at Glasgow's Hampden Park. Both sides are vying for second spot in Group I, which will see them enter a playoff round for next summer's UEFA European Championship in Poland and Ukraine.

The Czechs go into the game low on confidence in the wake of a 3-0 humbling at the hands of an average Norway side. In six matches this year, coach Michal Bílek's men have only managed one victory - a 2-0 victory over Liechtenstein in March.

There has been increased pressure on Bílek after a string of sub-par performances which included goalless draws with Japan and Peru, before culminating in a 3-0 defeat to Norway.

To make matters worse for Bílek, the team will travel to Scotland without goalkeeper Petr Čech. The Chelsea stopper picked up an injury during training Aug. 17 and will be out of action for four weeks.

"Unfortunately, there is damage to the ligament in the knee," Čech said. "I'm sorry I will miss the important qualifying match in Scotland, but I'll keep my fingers crossed."

Bílek had declared that the recent game against Norway would be a preview of the tactics to be deployed in the Scotland match, but a rethink is now likely in the cards.

It was no surprise to see a significant number of Viktoria Plzeň players on the 22-man squad slated to face Scotland. Petr Jiráček and Daniel Kolář will make their national team debut in Scotland and join teammates Milan Petržela and Václav Pilař in establishing themselves as part of the national team lineup.

Meanwhile, Scottish soccer has been in a slump as top clubs Rangers and Celtic failed to qualify for European competitions, but Scotland Manager Craig Levein insists that the future is bright. Levein is in confident mood as his teams prepares to face the Czech Republic in a must win game.

"The players are in a good place," Levein said. "All of these guys are playing in pressure situations every week. They won't be fazed by the significance of this game, I can assure you."

The previous encounter between Scotland and the Czech Republic ended in a 1-0 victory for the Czechs in a dominant performance, but this can be attributed to the defensive 4-6-0 formation employed by Scotland which ceded control of the game.  

Defeat in Scotland would be a huge blow to the Czechs' chances of claiming second spot in the group, as next up they entertain World Champion Spain in Prague Oct. 7, whereby Scotland has a winnable match against Lithuania.

Elsewhere in Group I, Lithuania will take on Liechtenstein Sept. 2 as they look to maintain their slim hopes of snatching second place.

Slovakia is also preparing for a vital qualifying match in Ireland Sept. 2. Their group is currently on a knife's edge as Ireland, Russia and Slovakia have all accumulated 13 points but Slovakia's inferior goal difference sees them in third place.

Ireland looks poised to continue their impressive run, which includes a 2-0 friendly victory over Italy. Slovakia will have to be on top of their game to breach the Irish defense who hasn't conceded a goal in more than 500 minutes.

"In Ireland, we have a particularly difficult task," Slovakia coach Vladimír Weiss said. "We must try to win. If we lose, it would make the Irish favorites. In case of a tie, the group would still be open, but if we win, it would be great."

It's a pivotal week for Slovak soccer as four days after the crucial game in Ireland, Slovakia will face Armenia at home in another Group B qualification game.

Slovakia's Group B rivals Russia face two home games in the coming week, Macedonia will visit Russia Sept. 2 followed by Ireland Sept. 6 as the qualification process reaches the business end.

Mark Smith can be reached at
features@praguepost.com