Čech called up by Czech Republic
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Article summary
The Czech Republic have selected the uncapped Marek Čech, with nine clean sheets in 13 league games, in the absence of his high-profile goalkeeping namesake.
Article body
The uncapped 30-year-old Marek Čech could make his Czech Republic debut on 15 November in the absence of his goalkeeping namesake Petr Čech.
Great form
The FC Slovan Liberec shot-stopper is showing form more usually associated with the Chelsea FC No1, who has been sidelined since 14 October with a serious head injury. Marek Čech has kept nine clean sheets in 13 games for the Czech league leaders and will hope to start in the friendly against Denmark in Prague. Competing for the spot will be established international Jaromír Blažek, who has notched up the same number of shutouts. Also in the squad are Marek Heinz and Jiří Jarošík, with the AS Saint-Etienne forward back for the first time since the 2006 FIFA World Cup, while the Celtic FC midfielder has earned his first call since November 2005.
Czech Republic squad
Goalkeepers: Jaromír Blažek (AC Sparta Praha), Marek Čech (FC Slovan Liberec).
Defenders: Zdeněk Grygera (AFC Ajax), Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan), Radoslav Kováč (FC Spartak Moskva), Martin Jiránek (FC Spartak Moskva), David Rozehnal (Paris Saint-Germain FC), Tomáš Ujfaluši (ACF Fiorentina).
Midfielders: David Jarolím (Hamburger SV), Tomáš Galásek (1. FC Nürnberg), Jaroslav Plašil (AS Monaco FC), Jan Polák (1. FC Nürnberg), Tomáš Rosický (Arsenal FC), Radek Širl (FC Zenit St. Petersburg), Jiří Jarošík (Celtic FC).
Forwards: Milan Baroš (Aston Villa FC), Marek Heinz (AS Saint-Etienne), David Lafata (FK Jablonec 97).
