Pekhart header denies Armenia
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Article summary
Armenia 1-1 Czech Republic Tomáš Pekhart's equaliser early in the second half ensured the Czechs began their qualifying Group 2 campaign with a draw.
Article body
The Czech Republic began their 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign with a draw as Tomáš Pekhart's equaliser earned a point in Armenia.
Armenia ahead
Armenia, who had beaten Liechtenstein at home in their opening Group 2 game before losing in Ukraine, started in lively fashion and Henrik Mkhitaryan went close twice early on. Ondřej Kúdela and Pekhart then had chances of their own but just before half-time Armenia went ahead – Vardan Petrosyan connecting with Vahe Mehrabyan's free-kick.
Czechs level
However, it took the visitors only two minutes of the second half to level through Pekhart's header. The Tottenham Hotspur FC forward, who helped the Czechs to both the 2006 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup finals, nearly won the game late on but the match finished all-square. On Tuesday the Czech Republic welcome Liechtenstein and the next day Armenia entertain Ukraine.