Twardzik keeps Czechs in contention
Saturday, March 27, 2010
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Czech Republic 2-1 Ukraine
An early Czech lead was cancelled out before Patrik Twardzik scored in added time to keep his team's hopes alive.
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A last-gasp goal by Patrik Twardzik kept the Czech Republic's UEFA European Under-17 Championship hopes alive.
The elite round Group 1 hosts, like opponents Ukraine, lost their opener on Thursday to leave them needing victory to prevent the Netherlands – 2-1 winners over Georgia – from wrapping up qualification. Ukraine managed to cancel out an early home lead, but substitute Twardzik's late header rescued the Czech Republic's bid and they can now qualify by beating the Netherlands on Tuesday.
Jiří Štol's side first went ahead on 15 minutes, when Filip Rozsival found Martin Hurka to open the scoring. Czech goalkeeper Vlastimil Veselý was sent off early in the second half, forcing Jiří Adamuška into action, but just before the hour numerical parity was restored as Ukraine's Sergiy Vakulenko saw red for a second booking.
Within three minute Ukraine were level, however, Yuriy Yakovenko picking out Yasyn Khamid, but in added time Twardzik headed in Robert Mariotti's cross to decide the outcome. The Czech Republic will reach May's finals in Liechtenstein if they win by a two-goal margin on Tuesday, though one will be enough if Georgia do not beat Ukraine.
