Czechs in crisis but legend Nedved wants smarts against Ireland
Pavel Nedved (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Czechia legend Pavel Nedved has urged the current generation to confront the playoff against Ireland with their ‘heads rather than body’.
Former Ballon D’Or winner Nedvěd is the general manager of an organisation enduring something of a crisis after sacking Ivan Hasek last month for losing to Faroe Islands and stripping Tomáš Souček of the captaincy this week.
Soucek lost his captaincy after the team failed to acknowledge their fans at full-time following Monday’s 6-0 stroll over in Olomouc. Their win bonuses were rerouted to charity.
“We were nervous before the draw and ended up getting Ireland, who are probably in their best form at present,” said the ex-Juventus and Lazio midfielder, part of the last Czech squad that qualified for the World Cup in 2006.
“They beat Portugal and then advanced nicely after winning in Hungary. It is always difficult in these types of playoff matches.
“I experienced it as a player 20 years ago. Playoffs are difficult matches mentally but there are always chances. It is always more about the head than the legs.
“Ireland is a very tough team that defends well and has a great spirit. If we want to advance to the World Cup, we have to want it more than they do.”
Nedved is to recommend a new manager ahead of the March 26 semi-final – likely to be staged at the 19,300-capacity Fortuna Arena in Prague – but the country’s national team has slipped to 44 in the rankings.
"The fans have a full right to express their disagreement with the unsatisfactory performance in the recent games," the association said in a statement after Monday’s embarrassing episode.
"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 before behind runaway leaders Croatia but a limp 1-0 friendly win over San Marino was followed by a display against another minnow that was criticised as being similarly tame.
Angry fans repeatedly chanted "Fight for Czechia".
The association didn’t waste time in ditching Hasek after last month’s 2-1 loss to the Faroes.
“There’s a proposal for the immediate removal of head coach Ivan Hasek," Czech FA chairman David Trunda thundered at the time.
He added about the playoff: “We have to think mainly about the first match, although it is of course good that we would also play the eventual final at home.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
