Czechia, the lowdown: form guide, flight costs and travel tips on Ireland’s play-off opponents
Ireland will meet a Czechia side in something of a crisis when they clash in the World Cup playoff semi-final on March 26.
Not only was Ivan Hasek sacked as manager after last month’s 2-1 defeat to the Faroe Islands, but their 6-0 stroll over Gibraltar on Monday was also a low point.
Arising from the players failing to acknowledge their fans at full-time in Olomouc, Tomas Soucek was stripped of his captaincy, and their bonuses will be rerouted to charity.
“The fans have a full right to express their disagreement with the unsatisfactory performance in the recent games,” the association said in a statement. “The reaction of the players should have been quite the contrary. They should have thanked the active fans.”
Czechia were already assured of second place behind runaway leaders Croatia, but a limp 1-0 friendly win over San Marino was followed by a display criticised as being similarly tame.
Angry fans repeatedly chanted “Fight for Czechia”.
Former Ballon d’Or winner Pavel Nedvěd, as technical director, is charged with sourcing the new manager.
The winner of the Czechia v Ireland clash will face either Denmark or North Macedonia.
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World Cup history: While recent years have been lean, they see this as a real chance to reach their 10th tournament, having finished runners-up in 1934 and 1962.
Ivan Hašek was sacked a month ago after losing to the Faroe Islands.
“There’s a proposal for the immediate removal of head coach Ivan Hasek,” Czech FA chairman David Trunda thundered.
Jaroslav Kostl took caretaker charge in November, but local legend Pavel Nedvěd could be in place for the play-off.
Tomáš Souček.
At 30, the West Ham United midfielder still dominates the centre of the park.
There are goals in Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick, while both Vladimír Coufal and Adam Karabec are talented, but their overall star quality has dipped.
Second place was always their likely route after a 5-1 defeat to Croatia, who finished six points ahead.
They collected 16 points from eight matches, but that loss away to the Faroes stung.
They use various stadiums nationwide.
Hradec Králové and Plzeň hosted earlier games, but they may opt for the 19,300-capacity Fortuna Arena in Prague for their new manager’s debut.
Ryanair and Aer Lingus both run regular flights from Dublin, and the cost of accommodation and food once there is very affordable.
Czechia’s Patrik Schick celebrates scoring the second goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Group D match at Hampden Park.
There is good news for fans from Cork, with an Aer Lingus flight leaving Leeside and arriving in Prague on the day of the match.
However, it could be tight for kick-off as it departs at 1.45pm and lands at 5.20pm, with the fare on Wednesday listed at €196.37. There is no suitable direct return flight.
From Dublin, Aer Lingus runs a 7.25am service on matchday, landing at 11am. The fare before the draw was €319, rising to €409, and now €470. Returning to Dublin the next day will cost €427.85.
With Ryanair, you would need to travel the night before on the 5.45pm flight, landing at 9.10pm. The price before the draw was €78.99, with seats after the draw going for €170.99.
