'Parrott cannot score if he doesn't have the ball' - Czechia plan to curb Troy's impact

HOLES IN THE PLAN: Troy Parrott celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick against Hungary. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Czechia witnessed first-hand on Thursday the devastation Troy Parrott can inflict, leaving defender Tomáš Holeš with the mission of preventing a repeat a week later.

Holeš is among the cohort of 13 home-based players assembled by Miroslav Koubek early in preparation for Thursday’s visit of Ireland for the World Cup playoff semi-final.

The Czech FA granted the request of the new manager to cancel this weekend’s fixtures to bolster their prospects of reaching a first World Cup since 2006.

Parrott’s goal and assist in AZ Alkmaar’s 4-0 Conference League destruction of Sparta Prague underlined why the Czechia boss has branded the Ireland striker a killer.

Holeš is one of six representatives of league leaders Slavia in the hosts’ squad and was already aware of the 24-year-old’s threat before he humbled their neighbours.

"We'll need to be close to Parrott, not let him take the ball towards our goal, but if he doesn't have the ball, he cannot score against us," said 38-times capped Holeš, who could occupy one of the defensive berths.

"We haven't discussed the Irish players individually yet only received a video so we can get a glimpse of the opponent's playing style.

“But it is clear that Parrott is the Irish's best player. He is a complex striker - he is fast, has excellent runs, a classic killer in the penalty area.

“It will be difficult against him, but we will fight it."

Holeš admitted he had mixed feelings about the blanket wipeout weekend of fixtures.

The rest of the squad, including Lyon playmaker Pavel Šulc, top scorer Patrik Schick of Bayer Leverkusen and West Ham United’s Tomás Soucek will join up in time for Monday morning’s session.

"It has its pros and cons,” confessed the 32-year-old.

“I would probably rather play but coach Koubek said a good thing that the time off will save us from match stress.

“There is a lot of pressure in Slavia every game, now we can relieve it and get ready for the Irish.”

The victor from the semi-final at Slavia’s Fortuna Arena will proceed to face either Denmark or North Macedonia for a place at the summer World Cup.

Like many of his teammates, this could be the last opportunity for Holeš to grace the global showpiece.

"My career is going well, and the big matches are coming,” he explained.

“But this is a very important block. We have watched the World Cup for 20 years from afar and to get there by the end of my career would be great.”