SOCCER-POLAK DOUBLE LIFTS CZECHS UP TO SECOND PLACE
By Alan Crosby

Reuters
09/07/05 19:44 ET

OLOMOUC, Czech Republic, Sept 7 (Reuters) – Jan Polak scored twice
to lead the Czech Republic to a 4-1 win over Armenia in their World
Cup Group One qualifier on Wednesday.

The Czechs, who have 24 points from 10 games, leapfrogged Romania
(22 points) into second place in the table. Group leaders Netherlands
(25) play hosts to Andorra later on Wednesday.

Marek Heinz opened the scoring for the Czechs in the 47th minute
when his shot from 18 metres took a deflection off Armenia defender
Sargis Hovsepjan.

Polak struck five minutes later when his 25-metre drive took another
ricochet before finding the back of the net.

Milan Baros made it 3-0 when he swept home Jan Koller’s rebound in
the 58th minute before Polak notched his second with 14 minutes left.

Ara Hakobian pulled a goal back for Armenia in the 85th minute.

“We only started to play after the break. In the first half, we were
like Sleeping Beauty,” Czech coach Karel Bruckner told reporters.

The Czechs needed maximum points after a 2-0 defeat by Romania on
Saturday.

“If we could have got ahead, the Czechs would have had a very
difficult task. But after they scored the second goal, it was pretty
well decided,” said Armenia’s Dutch coach Henk Wisman.