Czech Republic 2 - 0 Montenegro: Sivok doubles advantage to put Czechs in strong position

The Czech Republic took a big step toward qualifying for their fifth straight European Championship finals by beating Montenegro 2-0 last night.

Vaclav Pilar opened the scoring after collecting a smart through pass from captain Tomas Rosicky in the 63rd minute before firing a right-foot shot from 20 yards that gave goalkeeper Mladen Bozovic no chance to save. Tomas Sivok gave the Czech’s a valuable two-goal cushion when he headed in during time added on from Rosicky’s free kick.

Montenegro hadheld England to a 0-0 draw at Wembley in qualifying but were under pressure throughout and failed to create a surprise this time.

The Czechs – who controversially edged out Scotland in qualifying – failed to capitalise on their first-half dominance with Petr Jiracek wasting a clear chance to put the hosts ahead in the 34th minute. Rosicky showed his playmaking qualities, starting a fluent move in the middle of the field before passing for Tomas Pekhart. Pekhart then headed the ball to Jiracek, who had only goalkeeper Mladen Bozovic to beat from 10 yards.

Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech made a diving save to deny Dejan Damjanovic and then palmed away Simon Vukcevic’s curling shot a minute later as the visitors went on attack after the break.

Cech, who already wears a head guard, wore a protective mask as well after he had his nose broken in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Blackburn in the Premier League.

Czech Republic: Cech, Gebre Selassie, Kadlec, Sivok, Pudil, Rezek (Pospech 81), Rosicky, Plasil, Jiracek, Pilar (Kolar 90), Pekhart (Lafata 90).

Montenegro: Bozovic, Pavicevic, Dzudovic, Savic, Jovanovic, Pekovic (Zverotic 80), Drincic, Damjanovic (Bozovic 61), Vukcevic (Delibasic 89), Jovetic, Vucinic.

Referee: M Atkinson (Eng)