It was not as easy as many had expected but the Czechs eventually overcame a Liechtenstein side, who can be proud of their performance.
As expected, the Czech Republic proved too strong for minnows Liechtenstein in a 2-0 victory in the southern city of Ceske Budejovice. However, it was not always plain sailing for the hosts, as their opponents refused to buckle despite going behind to an early goal from Milan Baros. A second-half Michal Kadlec header made sure of the three points for the hosts.
Two old heads combined for the Czechs to open the scoring after just three minutes on the clock. Captain Tomas Rosicky broke through the midfield before finding Milan Baros with a perfectly weighted ball. The Galatasaray striker proceeded to find the bottom corner from just inside the penalty box with a fine finish, which left Peter Jehle with no chance.
After a frustrating hour in which the home team were unable to extend their lead, the Czechs finally scored a second with twenty minutes remaining. Jaroslav Plasil's inswinging corner from the left was met by Bayer Leverkusen full-back Michal Kadlec, who expertly guided the ball into the far corner with a glancing header beyond a helpless Jehle.
Liechtenstein were forced into making a premature substitution when Wolfgang Kieber came on for the injured Martin Buechel. Peter Jehle looked like joining him after a nasty collision with Baros but the veteran stopper was able to continue after treatment. Jehle could only watch on sixteen minutes when Jan Moravek struck the crossbar after Tomas Sivok's initial shot had been blocked. Three minutes later, Thomas Beck blasted a gilt-edged opportunity wide for the visitors, showing why he has not scored for his country in over three years. Moravek continued to cause problems and he found David Lafata inside the area but the striker was denied by a terrific reaction save from Jehle. Liechtenstein continued to have their moments and Philippe Erne's shot was deflected inches wide of Petr Cech's post ten minutes before the break.
After the break, the home side continued to have more possession without making it count and Liechtenstein again showed their potential on the counter attack when Cech was forced to keep out David Hasler's 53rd minute shot from a tight angle. The crowd began to grow frustrated at the impotence of the home team, especially when Milan Baros struck the crossbar on 68 minutes.
The three points strengthen the Czech Republic's hold on second place, moving them on to nine points from five matches, two behind Spain. Liechtenstein remain rooted to the bottom of Group I, with no points after a fourth defeat in as many matches.
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