Czech Republic U-20 2-1 Australia U-20: Young Socceroos Crash

Czech Republic U-20 2-1 Australia U-20 - Lineups/Stats
Fifa Under 20 World Cup Results, Standings

The second match in Group E in Port Said saw the Czech Republic come up against Australia.  Practically a full house watched the first game of the group when Brazil thrashed Costa Rica 5-0 at the same venue, but not many hung around to take in the second match.  In truth the rather drab game vindicated their decision not to bother taking in this encounter. 

Both teams arrived at the tournament as semi-finalists from their respective qualification tournaments last year, but neither set of players were able to carry over that form into this game.

The first half was a cagey affair punctuated by some over fussy officiating with neither side able to create clear cut chances, with just three shots on target, two for Australia and one for the Czech Republic all lacking any potency.  Perhaps both teams were mindful of the excellent performance earlier in the day by Brazil and keen not to end up sharing the bottom place with the unfortunate Costa Ricans.

The second half though got off to a flying start when the Czechs grabbed the lead with barely five minutes on the clock.  A well delivered free-kick from the Czech right side by Martin Zeman was firmly headed in at the near post by Michael Rabusic, giving Dean Bouzanis no chance in the Australia goal.

Australia responded with a respectable chance of their own, when a cleared ball from the edge of the Czech area fell to the Brisbane Roar midfielder Thomas Oar.  His well hit shot was comfortably claimed by the well placed Czech keeper Tomas Vaclik.

The Czechs comfortable with their one goal advantage continued to defend deep, and the pattern of the first half was quickly re-established as both sides found the game hard going. 

The mediocrity of the game was briefly lifted when Czech midfield schemer Martin Zeman, the most dangerous player on the pitch, slipped in right-back Jan Lecjaks down the flank.

A well-flighted ball into the box was headed back across the face of goal by the late arriving Lukas Vacha without troubling Liverpool based Bouzanis in the Australian net. It was to be Martin Zeman’s last action of the game as he was taken off with a knee injury.

The game was wrapped up with three minutes to go with a second goal for the Czechs when a bustling run down the left side by substitute Tomas Pekhart opened up the Australian defense.  The on-loan Spurs striker, who has been catching the eye for Slavia Prague, squared the ball across for a late arriving colleague, who was tripped by Australian centre-back Ryan McGowan.  Already carrying a yellow card the referee went straight for the red card to dismiss the Hearts defender.  The resulting penalty was confidently dispatched by Pekhart for the Czech second.

Remarkably given the disappointing preceding 91 minutes, the game still had time for one more incident.  A throw from the Australian right was aimed into towards the near post for defender De Vere, who had come up from the back.  The slightest of pushes from Ondrej Mazuch was promptly penalized by the referee. 

The initial penalty from James Holland was saved by Czech keeper Vaclik, but was ruled ineligible after the goalie was decreed to have strayed from his line before the shot was taken, although replays proved otherwise.  Reprieved Holland made no mistake at the second time of asking to place a firmer shot to the right side of the goal to make it 2-1. 

There was no time for the Australians to think about snatching an unlikely point as the referee immediately blew for the end of the game.

The rather lacklustre performance from both sides will not have left Brazil overly concerned.  Nevertheless the young South American side will do well to remember that the Czechs held Argentina two seasons ago to a disappointing 0-0 draw in their opening group game, yet both went on to reach the final.  The Czechs meet Brazil in the second match of the group on Wednesday, whilst the Australians have the chance to put things right when they meet Costa Rica.

Walter Townsend, Goal.com

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