Czechs expose Irish shortcomings

Czech Republic 2 Republic of Ireland 0

Two games, two defeats is the record so far for Mick McCarthy as he introduces the Republic of Ireland to life after Jack Charlton. While yesterday's scoreline in the Strahov stadium did not entirely reflect the balance of play, there are still some pressing problems for the new man to deal with.

In the first half, Ireland were on top and made but missed several chances against a lacklustre Czech side, whose form gave few clues as to how they took four points off the Dutch on the way to the European Championship finals. After the interval, however, the home team pushed hard on the accelerator pedal, and Martin Frydek and the dangerous Pavel Kuka scored goals which must have made McCarthy, a former centre-half, wince.

At least the Irish have found a new goalkeeper. Shay Given, third choice at Blackburn Rovers but a hero at Sunderland, where his form during an extended loan spell has done much to help Peter Reid's side into the Premiership, made several outstanding saves and was blameless for the goals, having been left horribly exposed on both occasions.

Apart from Given, Ireland's outstanding player was Ray Houghton, who never stopped running and was involved in most of the good things done by his team. But, at 34, he is hardly a long-term prospect. Of the younger brigade, only Liverpool's Mark Kennedy, playing just behind the front two, looked the part. Middlesbrough's Alan Moore, winning his first cap as Niall Quinn's striking partner, found the step up from the Pontins League to international football too high to cope with.

After a slow start, the Czechs missed the first real chance when Kuka sent a free header over the bar in the 19th minute, but for the rest of the opening period it was the visitors who did the pressing. Less than a minute after Kuka's miss Quinn also sent a free header, from a Kennedy free-kick, just off target. Three minutes later, from a Denis Irwin cross from the left, Quinn again won the ball in the air and forced Petr Kouba to save.

The Czech goalkeeper was soon called into action again, saving at Houghton's feet after Kennedy had delivered a good low cross. Then Kennedy went for goal himself, cutting in from the left and forcing a save from Kouba at his near post. Moments later, Irwin claimed a penalty in vain when he was bundled off the ball by Radoslav Latal as he was heading for the byline.

Kuka, who had scored twice in Dublin when the Czechs gained a 3-1 friendly win just before the 1994 World Cup, was denied by Given sprawling at his feet in the 33rd minute but that was an isolated raid by the home side. Before the break Miroslav Kadlec had cleared off the line from Kennedy and Townsend had seen his 25-yard shot pushed aside by Kouba.

It was a different story, though, after the interval. In the 56th minute Kuka got round Given for the first time but his path was blocked by two defenders. Five minutes later the home side were ahead: Radek Bejbl put Kuka through as the Irish defence stopped to plead offside against Radek Drulak, Kuka drew Given and slipped the ball sideways for Frydek to shoot into an empty net.

There was worse to follow for the Irish: in the 69th minute the defence was once again caught square as Pavel Hapal sent Kuka racing in on goal. He did the job himself this time, rounding Given to score with ease.

The marauding Patrik Berger twice came close as Ireland tired. Quinn, with a header, and Moore, with a shot from Quinn's knock-down, had late chances, but Kouba was equal to both challenges.

McCarthy admitted that both goals came from "our sloppy play" and "bad defending" but praised Given - "he's a massive talent" and Houghton. "I can't discard a player of such talent," the manager said. "Ray can play anywhere, he's such an intelligent player." How McCarthy must wish he could find a few more like him.

CZECH REPUBLIC (1-2-5-2): Kouba (Sparta Prague); Kadlec (Kaiserslautern); Hornak (Sparta Prague), Repka (Sparta Prague); Latal (Schalke 04), Frydek (Sparta Prague), Nemecek (Servette), Berger (Borussia Dortmund), Hapal (Tenerife); Drulak (Petra Drnovice), Kuka (Kaiserslautern). Substitutes: Kubik (Petra Drnovice) for Kadlec, h-t; Bejbl (Slavia Prague) for Nemecek, h-t; Nedved (Sparta Prague) for Latal, 59; Rada (Sigma Olomouc) for Hornak, 73; Kerbr (Sigma Olomouc) for Kuka, 78.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (3-4-1-2): Given (Blackburn Rovers); Cunningham (Wimbledon), McGrath (Aston Villa), Babb (Liverpool); Kenna (Blackburn Rovers), Houghton (Crystal Palace), Townsend (Aston Villa), Irwin (Manchester United); Kennedy (Liverpool); Moore (Middlesbrough), Quinn (Manchester City). Substitutes: Fleming (Middlesbrough) for Irwin, h-t.; Daish (Coventry) for Babb, 66.

Referee: H Strampe (Germany).