http://www.euro2004.com/ Wednesday, 30 April 2003
Czech Republic 4-0 Turkey
The Czech Republic continued their fine run of form with a comfortable
4-0 friendly victory against Turkey, the side that finished third in last
year's FIFA World Cup.
Impressive performance
With all four goals coming in the first half, the home side in Teplice,
unbeaten in their previous 13 games, were never in trouble - an impressive
performance considering they were without captain Pavel Nedved and Turkey
were able to call on Rustu Recber, voted the No1 goalkeeper in uefa.com's
Team of the Year for 2002.
Nedved rested
Turkish coach Senol Gunes named what was close to a full-strength side,
with Hakan Sukur starting in attack despite reports that he had suffered
a broken toe. Nedved, meanwhile, was left out by Czech coach Karel Bruckner
due to the Juventus FC midfield player's heavy club schedule in the UEFA
Champions League and Serie A.
Superb start
However, Nedved's absence did not worry the Czechs, and within 75 seconds
they were ahead when Jan Koller pulled the ball back into the path of his
BV Borussia Dortmund team-mate Tomas Rosicky, who made no mistake. Five
minutes later Rustu was forced to make an excellent save from a Milan Baros
solo effort, but he was beaten in the 20th minute, when Koller headed in
an accurate cross by Karel Poborsky.
Baros creates then scores
The visitors tried to respond but Ilhan Mansiz hit the post from close
range and was then forced out of the game through injury. The hosts poured
forward again and an-all Liverpool FC combination made it 3-0 in the 28th
minute when Baros found Vladimir Smicer unmarked in the penalty area and
the latter finished with ease. Baros turned goalscorer seven minutes from
half-time after being set free by Rosicky's perceptive pass.
Outstanding saves
Rustu took his leave at half-time as Turkey looked to keep the score
respectable. His substitute Omer Catkic proceeded to produce a series of
outstanding saves as the Czech team continued to attack. However, the
victory was already secure and the match became more of an exhibition for
both sides than a contest as the Czech Republic settled for a four-goal
victory.
Run continues
Bruckner, who has now led his nation to ten wins - including against
Italy and France - and four draws in his 14-match reign since January 2002,
said after the game: "We confirmed that our previous results were not
lucky." His side currently lie on top of UEFA EURO 2004 Group 3, ahead of
the Netherlands on goal difference. Their next qualifier is at home to
Moldova on 11 June.
Return to action
Turkey, who last lost by a larger margin in 1990 against Republic of
Ireland, are second in Group 7, a point behind England. They return to
competitive action in Slovakia on 7 June, before a home match against
F.Y.R. Macedonia four days later.
--
瑪塔：「我跟男人外遇!!」
法蘭西斯可：「我也是!!」
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.csie.ntu.edu.tw)
◆ From: 140.112.232.25