MATCH 07 REPORT : CZECHS CHEERED BY LATE GOALS

Two goals in the last 17 minutes gave the much-fancied Czech Republic a narrow win against game and unheralded Latvia in a pulsating UEFA EURO 2004™ Group D encounter in Aveiro.

No breakthrough
Latvia looked enterprising when they broke out, and a Prohorenkovs cross from the right just evaded the diving Maris Verpakovskis in the Czech Republic area. At the other end, Baroš volleyed past the post for the Czechs before Andrejs Rubins headed wide for Latvia as both sides sought the breakthrough.

Nedved denied
Another promising period for the Czechs followed, René Bolf heading over and 32-year-old Karel Poborský skimming the crossbar from long range. Predictably the Czechs, prompted by the cunning Nedved, who saw a shot deflected wide as the half-hour mark approached, were seeing more of the ball. But Latvia were matching them for commitment with gutsy defending and the occasional dangerous counter.

Surprise lead
The first half wore on with Poborský and Nedved having shots blocked in the area. The Czechs had dominated possession, but were then shocked right on the interval when Latvia went ahead. Prohorenkovs thundered clear on the left before firing in a low cross, and Verpakovskis was left free to poke the ball in from close range and give the Baltic outsiders a suprise lead.

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