Prague stalemate ends rivals' bids
Wednesday 14 October 2009
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The Czech Republic held on to third place in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 3 after a goalless draw at home to Northern Ireland.
Campaigns over
Both these sides had a mathematical chance of making the play-offs at kick-off, though Slovenia's 3-0 win in San Marino put paid to that. However, neither team were able to get the victory they would have required in any case, the Czech Republic ending the group one point ahead of Northern Ireland after matching the result of their fixture in Belfast in September last year.
Jankulovski farewell
Northern Ireland came close to breaking the deadlock on 40 minutes when Steven Davis chipped over the Czech defence, but Niall McGinn did not connect cleanly and Petr Čech tipped the ball wide. Just before the break Tomáš Sivok looped a header from Tomáš Rosický's corner over visiting goalkeeper Maik Taylor but Ryan McGivern cleared off the line. Czech defender Marek Jankulovski shot wide five minutes from the end on his 77nd and final appearance.
Hašek successor
After the game Ivan Hašek, who has combined the role of national coach with his position of Football Association of the Czech Republic president since July, confirmed that it was his last game on the bench. His successor will be announced on Tuesday.
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