Tomas and Vlad in top result against Belgium

Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal were part of the Czech Republic team which gained a highly creditable 1-1 draw against Belgium this evening (Sat).

And the big bonus was they came out of the match uninjured!

The  pair were both in the starting XI as the Czechs followed up their 6-2 away win over Estonia, a tie in which Souček scored his first international hat-trick, with another impressive performance in Prague.

Souček was named captain as he earned his 32nd cap on his first appearance on home turf since being named Czech Footballer of the Year for the second time, while Coufal was playing his 13th game for his country.

The hosts had the lion’s share of the chances on home turf and went ahead five minutes into the second half through a goal from Slavia Prague midfielder Lukáš Provod.

It was a magnificent point against  the international team rated No 1 in the FIFA World Rankings, who gained their equaliser through Romelu Lukaku.

And the point meant that the Czech Republic top Group E on goal difference ahead of Belgium, with both nations on four points, ahead of a trip to Cardiff to face Wales on Tuesday 30 March.

Elsewhere, Conor Coventry was not involved as Republic of Ireland lost 1-0 at home to Luxembourg in Group A.

The result made it two defeats out of two for Stephen Kenny’s side, who started former Hammer Josh Cullen, now with Belgian club Anderlecht, in midfield.

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon