Mexico now know all their rivals in the group stage after the Czech Republic’s qualification for the World Cup.
The Czechs defeated Denmark 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes. Michal Sadílek scored the decisive penalty to send his team to the World Cup. Goalkeeper Matěj Kovář was key, saving the first penalty from the Danes.
Czech Republic’s Set-Piece Threat
The Czech Republic will make their World Cup debut on 11 June against South Korea. They then face South Africa on 18 June. Finally, they will play against Mexico on 24 June.
The Czech Republic aren’t a major generator of danger in collective plays on the ground. They mostly try to attack from set pieces, either from corners or free kicks. The team’s physicality and players who are strong in the air become more valuable in these situations.
The two most important players in the air are captain Ladislav Krejčí and midfielder Tomáš Souček. Both players take responsibility for attacking. Their experience playing in the Premier League with Wolverhampton and West Ham respectively greatly helps the Czech Republic to attack from these types of plays.
Emerging Talent: Pavel Šulc
The Czech Republic’s talent may have decreased in recent years compared to the generation that went to the 2006 World Cup in Germany. That team had interesting players such as Petr Čech and Tomáš Rosický. Today, an emerging talent like Pavel Šulc is the only player on track to break into the European elite in the coming years.
In the win against Denmark, Šulc provided the moment of footballing clarity. Šulc scored their only goal with a tremendous shot from outside the area. He is one of the few players who creates dangerous plays. If they can’t score through collective plays, his long-range shooting can cause problems for Mexico.
Defensive Solidity
In the two play-off matches, the Czech Republic showed they want to compete from the back. They prioritise a line of five in defence to neutralise the attacks of opposing teams. They have centre-backs like Krejčí and Hranáč who play for important teams in Europe and know how to counter aerial plays.
There is also quality in goal, with Matěj Kovář in great form as the starting goalkeeper for PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie. The defensive set-up with five men at the back could be a real headache for Mexico at the Estadio Ciudad de México.
The most recognisable player in the Czech Republic’s defence is Ladislav Krejči. He is a central defender.