Czechs beat Scotland 1-0 in Euro qualifier
Defender Roman Hubnik scored in the second half Friday to lift the Czech Republic to a 1-0 win over Scotland in a qualifying game for the 2012 European Championship.
The result revives the hopes of the Czech team to qualify after losing its opening qualifier 1-0 to Lithuania at home.
Scotland is tied with Lithuania atop Group I with four points from three matches, while the Czechs have three points from two games.
Hubnik headed in his second international goal from close range in the 69th after substitute Roman Hubnik headed a corner his way.
''A very important goal,'' Hubnik said. ''It's a precious victory.''
The Czechs controlled the game but wasted a number of chances while Scotland focused on defense.
''That's what we needed,'' Czech captain Tomas Rosicky said. ''It was tough but we were all fighting and created a number of chances.'' Rosicky said.
Rosicky had the first decent chance 19 minutes into the game after collecting a pass from Jaroslav Plasil and breaking into the area.
Striker Tomas Necid received a precise cross from the left four minutes later but failed to control the ball in front of the goal. Defender Stephen McManus blocked Necid's low shot from close range two minutes before halftime when goalkeeper Allan McGregor had no chance to save.
Scotland produced its first counterattack after 30 minutes.
Defender Marek Suchy failed to clear an Alan Hutton cross, forcing surprised goalkeeper Petr Cech to produce an improvised save with his chest in a rare threat against the Czech goal.
Scotland didn't have a single corner kick, while the Czech Republic had 12.
The Czechs stepped up pressure in the second half and McGregor had to palm away a Michal Kadlec header from Rosicky's corner, and the captain wasted another chance by heading just wide.
In the 65th, a close-range header by Jan Polak forced McGregor to a diving save.
Ten minutes later, McGregor could only watch a low shot by Bednar that just missed his right post.
The Czech Republic next plays away to Liechtenstein on Tuesday while Scotland hosts Spain.
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Lineups:
Czech Republic: Petr Cech, Zdenek Pospech, Roman Hubnik, Marek Suchy, Michal Kadlec, Tomas Hubschman, Jaroslav Plasil (Jan Rajnoch, 90), Tomas Rosicky, Jan Polak, Tomas Necid (Mario Holek, 84), Lukas Magera (Roman Bednar, 59).
Scotland: Allan McGregor, Alan Hutton, Steven Whittaker, Stephen McManus, David Weir, Gary Caldwell (Kenny Miller, 76), Darren Fletcher, James Morrison (Barry Robson, 83), Graham Dorrans, Jamie Mackie (Chris Iwelumo, 76), Steven Naismith.