Czechia, the lowdown: form guide, flight costs and travel tips on Ireland's play-off opponents

John Fallon and Andrew Horgan give a full guide to Czechia’s form, star players and travel options as Ireland prepare for their World Cup play-off semi-final

Tomas Soucek celebrates. Pic: Nigel French/PA Wire.

Ireland will meet a Czechia side in something of a crisis when they clash in the World Cup playoff semi-final on March 26.

Not only was Ivan Hasek sacked as manager after last month’s 2-1 defeat to the Faroe Islands, but their 6-0 stroll over Gibraltar on Monday was also a low point.

Arising from the players failing to acknowledge their fans at full-time in Olomouc, Tomas Soucek was stripped of his captaincy, and their bonuses will be rerouted to charity.

"The fans have a full right to express their disagreement with the unsatisfactory performance in the recent games," the association said in a statement. "The reaction of the players should have been quite the contrary. They should have thanked the active fans."

Czechia were already assured of second place behind runaway leaders Croatia, but a limp 1-0 friendly win over San Marino was followed by a display criticised as being similarly tame.

Angry fans repeatedly chanted "Fight for Czechia".

Former Ballon d’Or winner Pavel Nedvěd, as technical director, is charged with sourcing the new manager.

The winner of the Czechia v Ireland clash will face either Denmark or North Macedonia.

CZECHIA:

Fifa ranking: 44.

World Cup history: World Cup history: While recent years have been lean, they see this as a real chance to reach their 10th tournament, having finished runners-up in 1934 and 1962.

Manager: Ivan Hašek was sacked a month ago after losing to the Faroe Islands.

“There’s a proposal for the immediate removal of head coach Ivan Hasek," Czech FA chairman David Trunda thundered.

Jaroslav Kostl took caretaker charge in November, but local legend Pavel Nedvěd could be in place for the play-off.

Star player: Tomáš Souček.

At 30, the West Ham United midfielder still dominates the centre of the park. 

There are goals in Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick, while both Vladimír Coufal and Adam Karabec are talented, but their overall star quality has dipped.

How did they qualify: Second place was always their likely route after a 5-1 defeat to Croatia, who finished six points ahead.

They collected 16 points from eight matches, but that loss away to the Faroes stung.

Where do they play? They use various stadiums nationwide. 

Hradec Králové and Plzeň hosted earlier games, but they may opt for the 19,300-capacity Fortuna Arena in Prague for their new manager’s debut.

Access and value for fans: 

UPDATE: Flights to Prague from Cork and Dublin originally listed on Aer Lingus and Ryanair quickly sold out on Thursday afternoon.  

Ryanair have since announced extra flights and 3,000 extra seats between Dublin and Prague.

Czechia's Patrik Schick celebrates scoring the second goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Group D match at Hampden Park.