Czech Republic v Latvia - MATCH REPORT
Supersub Heinz keeps Latvia in Czech
Marek Heinz scored the winner five minutes from time as the Czech Republic came from behind to beat Latvia 2-1 in their opening Group D match on Tuesday.
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| Czech republic forward Milan Baros (R) celebrates with Czech republic defender Marek Jankulovski after scoring against Latvia, 15 June 2004 during their opening match of the European Nations football championships at Aveiro's municipal stadium. The Czech Republic and Latvia are competing in Group D with Germany and The Netherlands.AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS |
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| Latvian midfielder Maris Verpakovskis (C) celebrates with teamates after scoring against the Czech Republic, 15 June 2004 during their opening match of the European Nations football championships at the Aveiro municipal stadium in Aveiro. Latvia and the Czech Republic are competing in Group D with Germany and the Netherlands. |
Heinz, who came off the substitutes' bench 11 minutes into the second-half, rescued the Czechs, who were superior to Latvia in terms of quality but matched by the Baltic battlers in spirit.
Latvia took the lead just before half-time through Maris Verpakovskis, only for Milan Baros to equalise for the Czechs in the 73rd minute.
Baros' leveller made up for his error which led to Latvia taking the lead.
A combination between Pavel Nedved and Marek Jankulovski should have given the Czechs the opening goal in the 10th minute.
The Latvians had to endure further pressure before landing a sucker punch on the stroke of half-time. Baros lost possession to Igors Stepanovs deep inside Latvia's half and the former Arsenal defender fed Prohorenkovs whose low cross was tucked home by Verpakovskis.
With Rosicky becoming more influential in midfield, the Czechs had Latvia on the ropes at the start of the second-half.
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| Latvian defender Aleksandrs Isakovs (L) runs in to tackle Czech republic captain Pavel Nedved, 15 June 2004 during their opening match of the European Nations football championships at Aveiro's municipal stadium. The Czech Republic and Latvia are competing in Group D with Germany and The Netherlands. |
Nedved and Poborsky both tried their luck from distance, while Baros should have done better with a volley from close range.
Kolinko's fingertips kept out Nedved's fierce drive before the Czechs drew level in the 73rd minute.
Poborsky sliced his way through two tackles and crossed from the byline and Kolinko could only punch the ball to Baros, who rammed home the equaliser.
Sensing Latvia's anxiety, the Czech Republic layed siege to their opponents' goal and the pressure paid off in the 85th minute.
The Latvian defence failed to clear Baros' lob and Heinz finished emphatically to break Latvian hearts.