Necid decides close encounter

Two second-half goals from Tomáš Necid proved the difference as the Czech Republic overcame Serbia and Montenegro in their opening UEFA European Under-17 Championship Group B game.

Nervous start
There seemed little to pick between the teams from their form, and that was reflected in a close match. A long-range effort from Necid broke the deadlock early in the second half, and an opportunist finish secured the points despite Vuković giving Serbia and Montenegro hope seven minutes out.

Early deadlock
Each side had lost their opening Elite round matches and were obviously determined to avoid the same fate, with Czech coach Jakub Dovalil having openly stated that a draw would be "OK". Consequently, chances were thin on the ground, with neither side helped by vital suspensions; Serbia and Montenegro were without key midfielder Igor Miladinović and first-choice centre-back Saša Blagojević, and the Czechs denied defender Lukáš Vácha.

Jovetić efforts
Perhaps he was missed early on as Stefan Jovetić had two good chances in the opening six minutes. First the FK Partizan forward forced Marek Štech to save, and then the striker's shot over after a slip from the Czech defence. Jakub Heidenreich responded on the quarter-hour with a free-kick that Serbo-Montenegrin goalkeeper Budimir Janošević did well to stop. But those were rare chances in the first half.

Chances
The opening exchanges after the interval roused fans from their seats. First Heidenreich's cross was headed in by Tomáš Pekhart, but the assistant's flag was raised. Then, at the other end, Vuković was sent through by Miloš Nikolić but the shot was wide.

Necid goal
An opener did come, though, thanks to Necid - who also struck vital Elite round goals against Turkey and Denmark. The SK Slavia Praha forward received the ball outside the Serbo-Montenegrin box and from 20 metres out curled in a shot that gave Janošević little chance. There was nearly a swift equaliser, but Štech denied Vuković.

Victory secure
Things seemed far from decided, at least until 13 minutes from time when Necid pounced on a blocked shot and finished coolly. Six minutes later Vuković pulled one back with a shot from just inside the area after good work by substitute Slavko Perović, but despite some further efforts from distance time was not on Serbia and Montenegro's side