CZECHS READY TO CASH IN ON DUTCH SLIP
sportinglife.com, UK
Oct 13 2004
The honeymoon period is over for Holland coach Marco van Basten
with the realities of international management really hitting home
on Saturday.
Holland were held to a shock 2-2 draw against FYR Macedonia, throwing
open a group which the Dutch appeared to be controlling following
their defeat of the Czech Republic.
The weekend disappointment means Van Basten’s men must pick up three
points from their home clash with Finland in Amsterdam on Wednesday
night.
Holland do have a few selection worries, though.
Defender Khalid Boulahrouz is suspended, leaving Van Basten with a
space to fill.
His first choice was Mario Melchiot but the Birmingham defender
declared himself not fit enough to play due to an illness.
Theo Lucius was then given the call and the PSV Eindhoven defender
may be thrust straight into the line-up as Wilfred Bouma is struggling
with a shin problem.
Finland arrive in good heart following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat of
Armenia in Tampere.
The Finns, who have nine points, currently lead the section on goal
difference from Romania although Holland and the Czech Republic –
who both have three points but have played two games less – are still
expected to come through.
The Czech’s next test is against Armenia in Yerevan.
The visitors will be without Milan Baros but Jan Koller is determined
the Liverpool striker’s absence will not prove decisive.
Baros picked up a yellow card in Saturday’s win over Romania – a game
in which Koller scored the only goal – and will sit out the match
due to suspension.
“It is true that we will miss Milan Baros in attack but his role
will be taken by somebody else and we still have a strong team,”
Koller told PA International.
“The responsibility for scoring goals will not be just on me, but on
all the players.
“It is not important who scores but important that we win. In Armenia
we have to follow up the victory on Saturday.”
Holland’s failure to beat Macedonia has given the Czech Republic
renewed hope, as Koller acknowledges.
The Borussia Dortmund star added: “Holland’s draw in Macedonia proved
that the favourites will have to work hard to beat the other opponents
who are capable of playing equal matches.
“But we have won an extremely important three points against unpleasant
opponents (Romania) and erased the loss from the opening qualifier.”
Koller admits, though, that the game against Armenia will test the
Czech Republic’s resolve.
“I expect a typical away match on Wednesday,” he said.
“The home side will start with resolute defending, waiting for
counter-attacks.
“It would be great to score an early goal that would force them to
leave the defensive formation.”
The visitors are likely to be without Ajax defender Zdenek Grygera
but Spartak Moscow’s Martin Jiranek could deputise after proving
his fitness.
In attack, coach Karel Bruckner has called up Sparta Prague youngster
Tomas Jun to replace Baros.
“Although he is not capable of doing the same amount of work as
Baros, Jun has the ability to find the right position in the box.
That is why he scores so many goals,” Bruckner said.
Armenia’s French coach Bernard Casoni will be without first-choice
goalkeeper Roman Berezovskij but midfielder Albert Sarkisjan is
available after completing a one-match ban.
Wednesday’s other game in Group One sees Macedonia visit Andorra
hoping to build on Saturday’s shock draw with the Dutch.