Thursday 13 October 2011

CECH: TOUGH DRAW


Petr Cech believes Montenegro will give his Czech Republic side a difficult time in next month's European Championship qualifying play-offs.
The goalkeeper learned his nation's fate after Thursday lunchtime's draw in Krakow, in which Raul Meireles and Portugal were also drawn to play Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Cech will be able to ask his English team-mates about the Montenegrins, while Meireles, and compatriot Jose Bosingwa who will be seeking a recall to the Portugal side, will be questioning Florent Malouda about the Bosnians after the French topped their group.
Meireles on Portugal duty
'It is a tricky draw because Montenegro pushed England all the way and on a good day they can beat anybody,' said the 29-year-old goalkeeper.
'They will be very passionate and motivated, but let's see how they come up in the play-offs. It's a difficult draw but an acceptable one, you can't choose your own opponents and any team that finishes second will not be weak.
'You can get pictures of any game in the world now, but I will speak to some of the guys and ask what they think, but it will be easy to get information.'
Having finished second to world and European champions Spain, Czech Republic finished above Scotland to claim their spot in the eight-team draw, while defeat to Denmark in their final qualifier meant Portugal will have to get to Poland and Ukraine the hard way.
The Portuguese were successful two years ago at the same play-off stage against the Bosnians, winning 2-0 over the two games, Meireles netting the winner in the away leg that secured their position at the World Cup in South Africa.
Czech Republic have been involved in two qualifying play-offs before. In 2005 Cech helped his nation to a 2-0 aggregate win over Norway that saw them qualify for the World Cup in Germany, but they were beaten 2-0 on aggregate by Belgium in 2001.
Next month's games will take place on November 11/12 and 15. In the other ties, Turkey will play Croatia and Estonia will play Republic of Ireland.

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