CZECH REPUBLIC v GHANA - MATCH PREVIEW I

The Czech Republic are very much the dark horses of this tournament, despite their being ranked second in the FIFA World Rankings. They were favourites to beat an up-and-coming American team last Monday but no one thought it would be as comprehensive as it turned out to be. They oozed class all over the pitch and they could have added many more to their tally.

Their victory was marred however by the hamstring injury that was sustained by towering striker Jan Koller towards the end of the first half. He had already put the Czechs in the lead with a thundering header and his goals are something that the Czech's will sorely miss, particularly as his regular strike-partner, Milan Baros is also out with a foot injury. This means that Czech coach Karel Brueckner may be forced into playing with a lone striker in a more defensive policy. Salzbourg's experienced frontman Vratislav Lokvenc is expected to fulfull this role however his scoring record of one goal in every five is not as impressive as his compatriots.

In Pavel Nedved however, the Czechs have a midfielder who could still win the game for them single-handedly. He dominated the midfield against the Americans and it was his link-up play that allowed the attack to fluorish in the way that it did. At thirty-three years old he is coming to the twilight of his career and this may be his last chance to make an impact on the world stage.

Expect therefore a greater determination from the Juventus man (particulary as if Juventus do get relegated to Serie B, he will be looking for another club) and possibly even a goal. With seventeen in eighty-six appearances, his scoring ratio is no worse than Lokvenc's. The Ghanians are worried about Nedved but say will not man-mark him during this game, stating that there is more than one danger player in the Czech team. This is true but disruption to the midfield talisman would significantly cause the Czech attack to break down, so how wise this decision is is open to question.

Another midfielder to keep an eye on is Arsenal's new signing Tomas Rosicky. With seventeen goals for the Czech's so far, including a brace on Monday, he looks like being a very astute signing by Arsene Wegner and worth every penny. He terrorised the American's and possibly can be used to support the decision of Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic not to man-mark Nedved as if you leave this outlet exposed then the Ghanians' could equally suffer.

So much rides on the central defensive partnership of Samuel Osei Kuffour and John Painstil, which is their strongest. They did not acquit themselves too badly against the Italians and if Issah Ahemd can put a check on the new Arsenal midfielder then they may have a chance of obtaining a positive result. Much however rides on the defence performing as a unit.

The American's attacking impotence did not expose the Czech's major weakness - the defence. In qualifying they shipped twelve goals in as many games, finishing second behind Holland in Group One. You would not expect the Ghanian attack to trouble them unduly however, particularly as the Czech backline have a lot of experience between them.

Only rookie David Rosenthal of Paris St Germain is the major worry as this is his first ever spell in the national team. The twenty-five year old had a comfortable game against the USA's star-man Landon Donovan and he can only take confidence into this match. Meanwhile in Marek Jankoulovski, Zdenek Grygera and Martin Jarenik they have three defenders with a considerable wealth of experience, particularly in playing together. They know each other's games inside out and so a clean sheet is certainly possible for the Czech's here.

Ghana are likely to start with the team that lost against Italy but that does not mean they will not make changes. In trying to hold Italy to a goalless draw their plan backfired by inviting the more technically gifted Italians to put pressure on their backline. In the end they scored two but when the European side found the target the result of the match was never in doubt.

Pyschologically, the Black Stars are still reeling after the Italian defeat. They are determined however to make up for it and in changing the formation they hope to be able to do this. The problem on Monday night stemmed from a poor delivery from the midfield, with the possession the African's enjoyed not being converted into something meaningful. This is a waste as with Stephen Appiah they have a general in that area of the park who is not afraid of getting forward. Ten international goals to his name is testament to that.

In Borusia Dortmund's Stephen Appiah they also have a talent who was neglectfully wasted against Italy. He already has five goals to his name and so if the service is there, he is sure to find the target. This is odd as before qualifying, the African side notched up three goals in eight games, suggesting that it is formation rather than personnel that let them down in their World Cup opener. If they can get over this fear and play their own game then they certainly have enough resources to test the Czech backline. Expect them to score but expect the Czech's to score more.

A SMALL SELECTION OF THE ODDS AVAILABLE FROM TOTAL BET.

Many more available on the Total Bet site.

Czech Republic 8/15
Draw 11/4
Ghana 6/1

Czech Republic 1-0 5/1
Czech Republic 2-0 5/1
Czech Republic 2-1 7/1
Czech Republic 3-0 10/1

First Scorer

Milan Baros 4/1
Vratislav Lokvenc 11/2
Marek Heinz 6/1
Jiri Stajner 13/2
Pavel Nedved 13/2
Asamoah Gyan 8/1

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