Czech clash is must win: Staunton

Coach Stephen Staunton will spend the next few days trying to lift the Ireland squad following the disappointment of their failure to defeat Slovakia last night.

An injury-time strike from Marek Cech denied the Republic of Ireland an historic away victory.

Goals from Stephen Ireland and Kevin Doyle had twice given Ireland the lead, but Cech's last minute intervention meant it finished two-all.

The Republic of Ireland team face the Czech Republic in Prague on Wednesday in a game likely to decide the runner up spot in Group D of the Euro 2008 qualifiers.

Germany look set to win the group following a 2 -0 win over Wales in Cardiff.

England are back in the chase to make the Euro 2008 finals after a resounding victory over Israel.

Goals from Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Owen and Micah Richards sealed a

3 -0 win at the new Wembley.

The result has lifted Steve McClaren's team above Israel to third in their group.

Scotland's hopes of making the Euro 2008 finals received a boost with victory over Lithuania

Kris Boyd gave the home side the lead after thirty minutes, before the visitors equalised following a controversial penalty decision.

Goals from Stephen McManus and James McFadden sealed the win.

Scotland now lie second in their group, ahead of world champions Italy.

Northern Ireland suffered a setback in their qualification bid, losing one-nil to Latvia in Riga.

An own goal from Chris Baird was enough to settle the match.