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| April 26th 2005 |
Rome, Stadio Olimpico
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| CZECHOSLOVAKIA - YUGOSLAVIA |
0-0
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GOALS -
REFEREE Sergio Gonella (Italy)
ATTENDANCE 82,000
YELLOW CARDS Pesek-Kada, Popluhar, Adamec, Burgr (CZE)
Horvat, Gudelj, Ivkovic (YUG)
CZECHOSLOVAKIA (Coach: Rudolf Vytlacil, system 4-3-3)
12 Ivo Viktor
18 Jaroslav Burgr
5 Jan Popluhar
4 Anton Ondrus
17 Koloman Gögh
7 Antonin Panenka (-67)
6 Karel Pesek-Kada (captain)
10 Josef Masopust
16 Josef Adamec (-72)
20 Oldrich Nejedly
11 Antonin Puc (-85)
Substitutes:
14 Andrej Kvasnak (+67)
19 Svatopluk Pluskal (+72)
15 Karel Poborsky (+85)
YUGOSLAVIA (Coach: Miljan Miljanic, system 4-3-3)
1 Vladimir Beara
16 Milutin Ivkovic
21 Ivan Horvat
4 Velimir Zajec
3 Robert Jarni
7 Vladimir Petrovic
18 Jovan Acimovic
17 Ivan Gudelj
9 Stjepan Bobek
19 Ivica Surjak (-54)
11 Dragan Dzajic
Substitutes:
15 Branko Oblak (+54)
MATCHREPORT
Yugoslavia entered the game knowing that a draw would be sufficient to reach
the second round. But they had to do without the services of central
defender Josip Katalinski and creative midfielder Dragan Stojkovic, who both
carried suspensions from the clash with Bulgaria into this encounter. Ivan
Horvat stood in as stopper, in Stojkovic' place Jovan Acimovic came into the
team. Ivica Surjak was preferred this time in a central role in attack,
though he was expected to play more as a deep lying forward. Czechoslovakia
had their problems too. Karol Dobias and Pavel Nedved were cautioned twice
in earlier matches and therefore not allowed to play this time. Jaroslav
Burgr played right back and Josef Adamec was brought in to play on the wing.
Czechoslovakia's coach Vytlacil changed to a 3-striker system. Because
Zdenek Nehoda had not convinced and therefore Vytlacil at last put Nejedly
in his starting line-up.
Pundits thought in advance that it would be a tight and maybe nervous match.
It would be difficult for both teams to take the initiative, Yugoslavia
didn't need to and Czechoslovakia had not been the team so far to take too
many risks. It would all depend on the score in Stockholm at the
Bulgaria-Scotland match how Czechoslovakia would act. The game was played
for a great deal in midfield. Petrovic had a fine shot after 7 minutes but
Viktor was in the right place to tip it over the cross-bar. After 15 minutes
Czechoslovakia tried a little more and Masopust fought himself into the
match. Ondrus now supported his midfield a little more and Yugoslavia had to
go back. It didn't lead to big chances, however. Pesek-Kada tried from a
distance but Beara had no troubles. Masopust stormed into the box a couple
of times but missed crosses from Puc and Panenka only just. Yugoslavia were
lucky when Nejedly scored from close range, but Gonella disallowed the goal
due to off-side. Nobody was convinced about the decision.
Gonella had difficulties keeping things decent. Just like most matches in
this group it was a hard-fought match. Gonella had to show no less than
seven yellow cards. Karel Pesek-Kada got one for a foul on Dzajic, his
second of the competition and it resulted in a suspension for a possible
next match. But it remained to be seen whether there would be a second round
for the Czechs at all. At half-time Bulgaria were in the lead in the other
match and Czechoslovakia at that moment needed more than a draw.
After the break Yugoslavia chose to try to keep the score level. It would be
like a win for them and the substitution Oblak in place of Surjak showed
their intentions more than enough. Oblak would play from midfield and
Yugoslavia relied on the speed of Bobek and Dzajic as well as the passing
abilities of Acimovic and Petrovic to create a few chances, but Ivo Viktor
didn't have much to do this evening. Czechoslovakia had to come but were
cautious, afraid of the counterattack that would throw them out. The
inclusion of Pluskal instead of striker Adamec, who had been a total drop
out, was more than a sign. And when time went by and messages came in from
Stockholm that Scotland had equalized they could hope for things to stay
that way. The first scoreless match of the All Time World Cup was near.
Substitute Kvasnak went close when his shot hit the outside of the post but
it was the only time Czechoslovakia really threatened. Yugoslavia hardly
crossed the midfield line and the only time they could have scored was
through a fine solo effort from Bobek whose shot was blocked by Ondrus.
Czechoslovakia - Yugoslavia ended the way it had started: 0-0. And when the
result from the other match arrived, both teams had qualified for the next
round. Yugoslavia ended up as first in the group and went to Stockholm for a
meeting with the runner-up from group D, most likely the winner of the
Hungary-Romania match. Czechoslovakia would travel to Santiago, a place they
knew well from the World Cup 1962 final. The opponent would most likely be
Italy, a rematch of the World Cup 1934 final.
Next Friday group D comes to a decision. Hungary and Romania are both on 3
points and face each other in Madrid. Hungary need a point to qualify, they
have the far better goal difference, but their spirit is not like playing
for a draw. Hungary's front line have impressed very much so far and it
remains to be seen what Romania can do against it. Italy have qualified for
the second round but are not sure of first place yet. They meet Paraguay in
Santiago. Paraguay are without points and are out of the tournament, they
play for their pride. A point earns Italy first place.
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