Lavička rewards Canadian eight

New Czech Republic coach Vítězslav Lavička has selected eight players who finished runners-up at the FIFA U-20 World Cup last month for the 21 August friendly against Scotland in Falkirk.

Magnificent eight
Defenders Jan Šimůnek, Marek Suchý, Ondřej Kúdela and Lukáš Kubáň, midfielders Petr Janda and Luboš Kalouda and forwards Marek Střeštík and Tomáš Pekhart were all members of the side beaten by Argentina in Canada. Lavička would also have picked striker Martin Fenin had he not been called-up to Karel Brückner's senior squad. Goalkeeper Radek Petr and defender Ondřej Mazuch, meanwhile, have been granted time to settle in Italy following respective moves to Parma FC and ACF Fiorentina.

'Key player'
Captain Šimůnek has also made a recent club move, leaving AC Sparta Praha for Bundesliga outfit VfL Wolfsburg. "He should be the key player in the new squad," said Lavička. The former FC Slovan Liberec coach has rung the changes following the Czech Republic's disappointing showing at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, finishing bottom of their group to spell the end of Ladislav Škorpil's tenure. Lavička has selected just four of those players who featured in the Netherlands. František Rajtoral, Michal Švec, Martin Fillo and reserve goalkeeper Milan Švenger have been afforded a second chance.

Czech Republic squad
Goalkeepers: Jakub Diviš (SK Slavia Praha), Jiří Lindr (SK Hradec Králové), Milan Švenger (Sparta Krč).

Defenders: Petr Cigánek (FC Baník Ostrava), Lukáš Kubáň (1. FC Brno), Ondřej Kúdela (AC Sparta Praha), Marek Suchý (SK Slavia Praha), Radim Řezník (FC Baník Ostrava), Jan Šimůnek (VfL Wolsfsburg).

Midfielders: Mario Holek (1. FC Brno), Petr Janda (SK Slavia Praha), Marek Jungr (SK Dynamo České Budějovice), Luboš Kalouda (1. FC Brno), Vladimír Mišinský (FC Baník Ostrava), František Rajtoral (FC Baník Ostrava), Michal Švec (SK Slavia Praha).

Forwards: Martin Fillo (FC Viktoria Plzeň), Tomáš Pekhart (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Marek Střeštík (1. FC Brno).