Under 19 Championchip: Austria vs Czech Republic 1:3
The Czech Republic got their UEFA European Under-19 Championship campaign back on track in emphatic fashion as a dominant display against Austria in Swarzedz earned a 3-1 victory in the second round of matches in Group A.
Decisive spell
Having begun the finals with a 4-2 loss to Belgium, the Czechs knew a win was imperative to revive their hopes and broke through a well-drilled Austria defence midway through the first half, Jakub Mareš nervelessly converting from the penalty spot. Petr Janda quickly added a second and Marek Strestik effectively settled the contest with a well-worked third soon after half-time. Despite Erwin Hoffer reducing the deficit with 14 minutes remaining, the Czechs held on for a comfortable triumph.
Lively opening
With three points all but essential after Tuesday's defeat, the Czechs started brightly with Austria goalkeeper Bartolomej Kuru forced to block Strestik's low shot with his outstretched right boot before palming away a Mareš free-kick. Those early opportunities proved misleading, however, as the 4-5-1 formation employed by each team left Austria's lone striker Ruben Okotie and his Czech Republic counterpart Martin Fenin isolated and in need of support.
Czechs in charge
Okotie threatened first with a pacy, powerful run that drew a low save from Radej Petr, but when a goal did arrive in the 34th minute it came at the other end. Janda was brought down on the corner of the penalty area after cutting through the Austria defence and Mareš made no mistake from the spot, scoring with a powerful strike. The Czechs took a stranglehold three minutes later when Janda exchanged passes with Strestik and, although Kuru parried his initial effort, the midfielder reacted quickest to slam in the rebound.
Strestik strikes
Marek Jungr drew another diving save from the Austria goalkeeper before the interval, but Kuru was powerless to prevent the Czechs adding a third four minutes into the second period. Janda's pace did the initial damage down the left before Fenin took over and crossed low to provide Strestik with a simple finish. The situation almost got even worse for Austria as Veli Kavlak tripped Janda only for Fenin, having assumed spot-kick duties, to fire straight at Kuru. Substitute Hoffer deflected in Daniel Gramann's shot in the 76th minute to temporarily revive Austrian hopes, having earlier headed over when unmarked, but the Czechs had already done enough to join Austria, conquerors of hosts Poland on Matchday 1, on three points. Sunday's concluding fixtures pit Austria against Belgium and the Czechs against the Poles.
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