Poland vs Czech Republic

As expected, Poland replaced Leo Beenhakker. The new interim coach was Stefan Majewski.

Majewski made numerous changes in the squad for this World Cup qualifier.

Gone was Artur Boruc. Gone was mainstay Jacek Krzynowek. Gone too was Ebi Smolarek.

But thankfully back in the squad was Ireneusz Jelen. Also back after three years’ absence was an old face, Jerzy Dudek, who remained on the bench for the entire game along with Polish Brazilian Roger.

Many empty seats showed up for the match on this very rainy night in Prague – quite surprising as the Czechs were still in the running for a spot in South Africa.

Prior to kickoff, Czech great Jan Kohler was given a hero’s farewell to mark his official retirement from international football.

The 2nd minute of the match was a sign of things to come as Czech Republic had a great chance from inside the Polish penalty area, but the ball was blasted high over the bar.

The Poles had a great chance of their own in the 33rd minute when Ireneusz Jelen chested down a ball just inside the area and quickly shot at goal, but a diving save from keeper Petr Cech pushed the ball wide for a corner.

Poland won a whole host of corners in the first half but came away with nothing to show for it.

Poland has been plagued by poor defense in the last several matches, and in the 37th minute it led to a Czech goal. However it was erased by the linesman on what appeared to be a very poor offsides call.

But the Czechs got their goal shorty after the interval.

Two quick passes starting from the center line found Czechman Tomas Necid in the area, who took advantage of yet again bad Polish defense by beating two defenders and slipping the ball under the leg of keeper Wojciech Kowalewski, trickling it in off the post and into goal after 51 minutes.

Seven minutes later and Poland almost equalized when Ireneusz Jelen headed a cross that was just kept out of goal by another diving save from Petr Cech.

Strangely, Jelen – the most dangerous offensive player of the match for Poland – was replaced in the 63rd minute.

The second Czech goal came in the 72nd minute.

Jaroslav Plasil and his hard hit header off a pinpoint cross beat Poland keeper Kowalewski at his near post for the goal.

It wasn’t until the very late stages of the match that Poland began to explore the notion of shooting from distance. And one has to wonder why it took so long, especially with a rain soaked pitch to take advantage of.