How do the public and coach Jaroslav Šilhavý evaluate the match with Wales?

The key match of the 2022 World Cup qualifying group between the Czech Republic and Wales was slightly overshadowed by the ongoing elections. Nevertheless, 16 856 spectators came to Eden, which is a very good number. The match ended in a 2-2 draw. How was it perceived by the football public and coach Jaroslav Šilhavý?

Overall impression? The Czech national team pulled the short end of the stick for most of the match, but still found passages in which they were better than the strong Welsh. Anyway, the opponent from the Islands showed that they have a really balanced and strong team that can be striking, both from quick counterattacks and from gradual combination.

The match also showed that the extreme defenders Vladimír Coufal and the often criticized Jan Bořil are extremely important for Jaroslav Šilhavy’s selection. The second goal was scored by Filip Novak, who tried his best, but it was beyond him to keep David James at bay. Of course, the question is whether another Czech winger would have been able to guard the quality winger. James also scored a goal for us in Wales.

Public reaction

“Wales were better, faster, stronger, more compact, had more chances, literally gave the Czechs 1 goal, only thanks to that and Vaclik they got a home draw. The Welsh are a bit closer to the second place in the group. Apparently a late substitution for the Czechs. Against Belarus without Barak (penalty), hopefully with Sadilek,” wrote Luděk Mádl, editor-in-chief of Seznam Zprav.

“I must say that Cymru(Wales) played well. We didn’t find a recipe how to play them. The draw is well deserved, although I wished for a different birthday present,” wrote Libor Sečka, former Czech ambassador to Great Britain.

Czech goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík, who sympathised with the Welsh goalkeeper who scored a horrific own goal, was very respectful on Twitter. “To concede such a goal is a nightmare for all goalkeepers. Especially at international level. Heads up, Dan Ward, and good luck in your next game.”

Jaroslav Šilhavy’s assessment

How did the most authoritative person evaluate the match in a nutshell? Coach Jaroslav Šihlavý reacted as follows:

“We are still in second place, but our opponent has an extra game. But they are playing Belgium again, which is a strong opponent. So we are not giving up the fight for second place yet, anything can happen. We have two games, away to Belarus and at home to Estonia, we will want to win both of them. But we don’t have it in our hands, Wales have the advantage.”

“In terms of table position we wanted to win, but I have to praise the opponent who played very well. The point is probably fair. The opponent was very good, but we were looking for it especially in the first half. It seemed to me that the boys had heavy legs. We were nervous, it wasn’t quite ideal.“

“The Welsh were more agile, quicker, anticipated. When they didn’t have a good combination, they were able to help themselves with a long pass to the striker. We were under pressure. But it wasn’t just a question of the centre backs, it wasn’t the same from the other players in the defensive phase either.””

Šilhavý also revealed that Antonín Barák (FPN) will not travel to Belarus. He also slightly criticized the center line, namely Alex Kral, and was not completely satisfied with the performance of captain Tomáš Souček.

Luděk Mádl, Libor Sečka, Tomáš Vaclík, FAČR