"Czech Republic are seeking a first qualification since 2006 and secured second in their group after taking 16 points from eight games, edging the Faroe Islands by four points. They have also reached every European Championship since 1996, but this World Cup campaign wasn't without drama, as boss Ivan Hasek was sacked last month after a shock 2-1 defeat to the Faroe Islands."
"They concluded the group with 6-0 win over Gibraltar on Monday night, but afterwards the Czech FA issued a statement hitting out at the players for allegedly ignoring their fans after the full-time whistle, who had been critical of the team's performances of late. Captain Tomas Soucek, of West Ham, was stripped of the captaincy for their next game while the FA say that he and his team will also be denied financial bonuses, which will instead go to charity."
"Last meeting: Ireland 1-1 Czech Republic, 2012 friendly. Ireland have played the Czechs eight times since their first meeting in 1994, winning twice, with their last clash coming 13 years ago as a late Simon Cox leveller secured a draw for Giovanni Trapattoni's side. Soucek is the current star of the team, while Bayer Leverkusen forward Patrik Schick and Hoffenheim defender Vladimir Coufal are also important players."
Czech Republic finished second in their World Cup qualifying group with 16 points from eight games, four points ahead of the Faroe Islands. The team have qualified for every European Championship since 1996 but have not reached the World Cup since 2006. Manager Ivan Hasek was sacked following a shock 2-1 defeat to the Faroe Islands. The squad ended qualifying with a 6-0 win over Gibraltar, after which the Czech FA criticised players for allegedly ignoring critical fans and stripped captain Tomas Soucek of the armband and financial bonuses. Key players include Soucek, Patrik Schick and Vladimir Coufal; Ireland have faced Czechia eight times.
Read at Irish Independent
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