What the Czechs think of Ireland: 'To be honest, I was surprised they won against Portugal and Hungary'

A view outside the Fortuna Arena following a training session at the nearby EC Eden training pitch in Prague. Pic: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

The good news? Well, the Czechs are more than a bit wary of Ireland ahead of this World Cup playoff. The bad news? They think their new coach just might be the perfect man to beat them.

For months now, Irish football fans have been rejoicing at stories of turmoil emanating from the football community in this Central European nation, but the sacking of Ivan Hasek, their old boss, may prove to be a blessing.

“In my opinion, Czechia is slight favourite,” said journalist Petr Havlik of CTK. “I think our biggest trump is new coach Miroslav Koubek. He really knows how to handle international matches, he is probably the best tactician in Czechia. He reached the quarter-finals in Conference League with Viktoria Plzen, they defeated a lot of quality teams.

“If we went into the match with the previous coach, I would probably favour the Irish team.” 

That’s them. What about us? Or, rather, him?

“As for the Irish team, I consider [Troy] Parrott to be the main danger. He scored three goals against Sparta, he showed a great quality in finishing, in the box.

“To be honest, I was really surprised that Irish team won against Portugal and Hungary. I'm also curious to see how the Irish game will look with a three-man centre-back formation, which team can impose their game on the other..

“We will see. My tip is 2-1 for Czechia.” 

The Kurzove Sazeni website predicted a game “tied to tactics, nervousness and a minimum of mistakes. It will not be about beauty but about the result”. Here, too, Koubek’s influence has been placed front and centre in the conversation.

Solid defence, organizations: these are his trademarks.

Koubek’s ascent to the most important position in the Czech game was paramount in the thoughts of another football journalist, Jonas Bartos, when he spoke to the Irish Examiner this week.

Bartos noted how Koubek’s most recent role with Viktoria Plzen had ended earlier this season on the back of some bad results, but observed how the 74-year-old is excellent at coaching tactics.

“Over Christmas, instead of watching some Christmas movies he was watching the games of Ireland. He is very good in details in reading of opponents, their skills and weakness, so the Czech team under Miroslav Koubek will be really ready for Ireland.” 

Defensive solidity is key for Koubek and many of the players in the national team have worked under him at club level. 

Cancelling last weekend’s league matches will have helped him instil his thoughts ahead of the game at Slavic Prague’s Fortuna Arena.

And that home advantage is another factor that Bartos believes to be key, even if he is expecting a tough challenge from Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side.

“I think it is a tough opponent with a lot of physical strengths. Also, you have good key players playing in Premier League or important clubs in England so you have really good players such as your striker from Alkmaar.

“He scored against Sparta in recent weeks in the Conference League. Troy Parrott is the most important guy in your squad so I am looking forward to the game and the performance of your team.

“You beat Portugal and you won in Hungary, which is also a tough opponent, so you have a really good national team. I think even though we play in home stadium it is still a 50-50 game and … we can’t expect a game like a 3-0 or a 0-3. I think it will be one goal on one side.”