Coach Jaroslav Šilhavý is aware that if the football representatives want to fight for promotion in the World Cup qualification, they need to win the group’s opening match with Estonia on Wednesday. Although half of the original staff was eliminated just before the match due to the coronavirus quarantine, the Czech coach remains cautious.
“I would not like to underestimate the Estonian team, we have respect for it. But if we want to fight for promotion to the World Cup, we simply have to win here,” said Šilhavý at a press conference in Lublin, Poland.
He does not consider the neutral field an advantage due to the fact that fans cannot enter the auditorium due to covid-19. “I think it doesn’t matter. Without the audience, it’s a shame, of course. But we’re happy that we can work, play at all and that fans can encourage us, at least on television,” said Šilhavý.
The Estonians had to change their nomination significantly at the last minute due to the positive case of coronavirus in the team and the players’ contact with the infected. Virtually all legionnaires dropped out of the original staff and ten other players were called. But squinting doesn’t take it as an advantage.
“Of course it’s not pleasant for the opponents. We have experience with it in the autumn. We know what it’s like. But nothing changes for us. We don’t want to let it be decided, we concentrate on ourselves. We came to show quality performance, confirm the role of favorite and take three points, “said Šilhavý.
He does not think that the Estonians in the changed formation should be significantly weaker than usual. “Of course, from the point of view of the opponent’s analysis, it’s more complicated, because (in January) the coach changed, now a pandemic hit and there is another coach. So it has changed a bit again, even though the important players in the team are. The team doesn’t get much “They have disciplined, tactical goals. They have dangerous players above Sappinen and Vassiljev, they have probably left the biggest impression on me. And they are here,” said Šilhavý.
“We don’t want to be confused by playing against substitutes or weak players. When we had to deploy a substitute team in Olomouc, the boys showed a great performance against Scotland and fought for victory,” said Šilhavý in September.
The Czech team has so far played in the world championship only once, in 2006. In the European part of the qualification, only the group winners will advance to the tournament in Qatar next year, the teams in second place are waiting for the playoffs as well as two teams from the League of Nations. In addition to Estonia, the Czech rivals will be Belgium, Wales and Belarus.
“Belgium is the biggest favorite, that’s clear. If we want to advance, we have to fight with the chance that we could surprise Belgium in Prague in the second match. Or from the second place and the barracks there is also a way. I believe that whether it is so or so, we will be in the game until the end, “said the coach.
His team will welcome Belgium on Saturday and will perform in Wales next Tuesday. “We are not yet planning who will play against which opponent. Of course, there will be forced changes, because the boys from Germany can only play the first match. We will decide according to our mood. There may be a variant that after the match with Estonia still “We’ll see someone. We’ll see according to his health condition, some players had minor scars,” said Šilhavý.
The quarterback Ondřej Kúdela from Slavia, who has been facing charges from an opponent of racism since Thursday’s retaliation in the European League in Glasgow, is ready to start. The Prague quarterback refuses the accusation. “I talked to Ondra, I stand behind him. He is fully focused on representation duties. He is experienced enough to handle it,” added Šilhavý.
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