Czechs pushed all the way to seal vital win

Czech Republic 2 Latvia 1

The Czechs dominated the game in terms of possession but went a goal down when Maris Verpakovskis scored for the Baltic outfit on the counter-attack in first-half stoppage time.

It took a long time to break down the Euro 2004 rank outsiders in the second period but finally the Czechs prevailed thanks to a Milan Baros equaliser and then a winner from substitute Marek Heinz.

Anything other than victory would have been a blow to the Czechs in a very tough group also including Germany and Holland it is considered by most to be the tournament's 'group of death', making victory against the big-stage debutants essential for the three heavyweights in the pool.

Bruckner said: "We did not expect an easy match but to be frank it was more difficult than I expected.

"Latvia had a very good defence and I would even characterise them as playing with military discipline. They were very brave and have proved they are a good team.

"I suppose we played better in the second half more in our usual style."

Bruckner was able to report a clean bill of health for his players after a match played in sweltering heat but which although fiercely contested - finished without a single caution.

"There are no serious injuries but some light knocks but they should all be ok tomorrow," said the coach.

Bruckner admitted he got worried when his team were unable to score - something that was only resolved after 73 minutes when Baros levelled the match.

"I did not enjoy this feeling," said Bruckner. "Let's just say I was coaching more than I usually have to coach I can feel the effect it has taken on my body but I am very satisfied and very relieved."

His Latvian counterpart Aleksandrs Starkovs was torn between pride in the performance and dismay at the result with a sensational upset looking on the cards for much of the second half.

"(Before the match) I was a little bit afraid because we have not played before at such a high level," said Starkovs who is also coach of Skonto Riga, by far Latvia's most powerful club team.

"I am satisfied with the scenario and glad we gave a good account of ourselves and you can see what a good team the Czech Republic are.

"Throughout the game the Czechs were more skilful and well organised but we are still not satisfied with the result of the game."

The equaliser came just after Starkovs had brought on Marians Pahars for Andrejs Prohorenkovs, who partnered Verpakovskis up front, but the coach made it clear he did not want to make that change.

"He asked to come off so I did take him off," said Starkovs. "He (Prohorenkovs) was very good and it was not my decision. I did not want to take him off."

And he had a word of praise for defender Igors Stepanovs who has just been released by Arsenal after a loan spell in Belgium with Beveren, saying: "I thought Stepanovs and his partner (Mihails Zemlinskis) were great today and it was very good that they could play so well.

The first half was played in searing sunshine but Starkovs refused to make excuses.

"The decisive factor was not the heat but the skill of the Czech Republic players," said Starkovs who led his team to the finals by beating World Cup semi-finalists Turkey in a two-legged play-off.

Man-of-the-match Baros spurned several chances before equalising and then helping create the winner for Heinz.

The Liverpool forward said: "I am satisfied with the goals and it helps make amends for my earlier mistakes.

"If we had drawn or lost we would have needed to win our last two remaining games. Now we have two games to play and we will wait and see what happens."

CZECH REPUBLIC: Cech, Grygera (Heinz 56), Ujfalusi, Bolf, Jankulovski, Poborsky, Galasek (Smicer 64), Nedved, Rosicky, Baros (Jiranek 87), Koller.

LATVIA: Kolinko, Isakovs, Zemlinskis, Stepanovs, Blagonadezdins, Bleidelis, Lobanovs (Rimkus 90), Rubins, Astafjevs, Prohorenkovs (Laizans 71), Verpakovskis (Pahars 81).

Referee: Gilles Veissiere (France).