Czechs count on Baroš boost

Czech Republic 2-0 Estonia

Early goals
The Liverpool FC striker scored twice in the opening 22 minutes to send the majority of the 11,873 supporters home happy and give the Czechs a valuable boost ahead of their Group D challenge. Germany, the Netherlands and Latvia are also in the section.

Two changes
Czech Republic coach Karel Brückner made two changes to the side that started Wednesday's 3-1 win against fellow EURO 2004™ finalists Bulgaria. Martin Jiránek from Reggina Calcio came into the center of defence and Baroš replaced his Liverpool team-mate Vladimír Šmicer in attack.

Quick reward
The new-look defence was rarely put under pressure, but at the other end of the field Baroš vindicated his coach's faith as early as the sixth minute. The striker collected Tomáš Rosický's pass and burst clear of the visitors' defence before dribbling round Estonian goalkeeper Martin Kaalma and opening the scoring.

Quick reactions
The same two players combined for the second goal after 22 minutes. Rosický's deflected shot hit the crossbar and Baroš reacted quickest to collect the rebound and score his 16th international goal in only his 25th game for his country. However, Baroš - the most prolific scorer in the current Czech side - was forced off before half-time with a head injury.

More chances
The visitors continued to defend with ten men behind the ball, leaving the Czechs to enjoy the majority of the possession and creating a number of chances to further extend their lead before the interval. Captain Pavel Nedved's long-range effort cannoned off a post and Karel Poborský also hit the frame of a goal from sharp angle after Jan Koller has also gone close.

Half-time reshuffle
Brückner reshuffled the lineup dramatically at half-time, sending nine fresh players on the pitch. Only third-choice goalkeeper Jaromír Blažek and Vratislav Lokvenc, who has a minor injury, did not take part in the match. The changes disrupted the home side's rhythm, although it might have ended 3-0 as Rosický's free-kick was met by the head of Štepán Vachoušek, but once more the substitute was denied by the post.

'A little tired'
Brückner was particularly pleased with his side's defensive display, which produced the first clean sheet since the 5-0 qualifying victory against Moldova a year ago. He said: "After an unsettled start we played much better at the back than in the game against Bulgaria." Rosický, who replaced Nedved as captain after the break, added: "We are a little tired after the training camp but two days off will help us and we have time to get into shape."