Czech Rep vs England
European Qualifiers Group A
7:45pm Friday 11th October
Eden Arena
As Czech Republic came from behind to win 2-1 in Prague from European Qualifying Group 28, A limp England suffered their initial qualifying defeat
Level at 1-1 following a sloppy performance, England were punished by 30-year-old Czech debutant and replacement Zdenek Ondrasek, who switched low and traumatized out of 10 yards to stun Gareth Southgates side (85).
England had taken an early lead during Harry Kanes penalty after Raheem Sterling was tripped (5), but the Czechs reacted immediately through Jakub Brabec, turning up at the back post following guess England defending in a corner (9).
The people had been failing to make any chances and allowing the Czechs several half-chances out of set-pieces, and though they improved after the break, England left to Ondraseks winner.
A win could have sent England into Euro 2020, but conquer signifies England and Czech Republic are level on points on top of Group A, together with Kosovo four things behind.
Having been faultless defensively in European Qualifiers before the win over Kosovo last month, the chaos at the defence of England continued in Prague.
But it started perfectly. Assessing back at lightning speed in the box, Lukas Masopust triped Sterling, allowing Kane to slot home from the penalty spot.
The England fans were in good voice, however there have been murmurs of discontent from then on. 38 per cent of goals declared by England below Southgate have been from set-pieces (12/32), the latest coming from a corner as Ondrej Celustkas capitalised on Michael Keanes slip to find Brabec to bundle home from close variety.
England didnt respond, and did they learn in the ball that is dead. Soucek rose above Declan Rice in an identical go to the equaliser, but Schick this time turned out by a tight angle, as England conceded for the second time in 78 matches.
England did not look like the 40 places above their opponents in the FIFA world rankings. While Rice and the two Jordan Henderson routinely misplaced their pass The majority of the first half had been played in the front of the Czech defence, Sterling was pushed wide and deep.
After the breakup, the passing of England initially emulated the first half, before Kanes fine through ball discovered Sterling one-on-one, only to be obstructed by goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik as he seemed to round him.
Masopust pressured Jordan Pickford save from array, and Southgate began changing things up with 18 minutes remaining as Marcus Rashford and Ross Barkley substituted Mason Mount and Jadon Sancho.
On his very first beginning, Mounts 72 minutes were ok. At the time of his death he had the highest pass accuracy in the opposition half (87.5), the main passes (two ), but won only over a third of his duels andd just 27 touches.
The winner came from poor England as Masopusts cut back found Ondrasek unmarked, letting him drive non to Pickfords left having a controlled effort, defending. Tammy Abraham has been introduced to save the day, however the day was one.
Defeat seemed unthinkable awarded the superb album in qualifying before the match of England, but their lack of course ends nothing that was justified. They will be forced to sweat to make next summers championship in a class which could become.
England go to Bulgaria in Sofia on Monday night at 7.45pm, which you can follow on SkySports.com and the Sky Sports program, while Czech Republic sponsor Northern Ireland in a friendly on Monday at 6pm, live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event.
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