CZECH MATE

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Iran 2 Czech Republic 3 (a.e.t; 2-2 in normal time)

The Czech Republic's fairytale Pop World Cup continues - they are through to the final after a gripping win over Iran, after seeming to have thrown the match away in the last minutes of normal time.

The game started at a high tempo, with gutsy tackles all over the midfield and gliding runs down the wing from both sides. Iran opened the scoring, but the Czechs replied within minutes to leave it 1-1 at half time. Both sets of players seemed more subdued after the break, as the magnitude of the occasion seemed to sink in and play became more nervous. The Czechs bundled themselves into a 2-1 lead with a scrambled goal and then settled down to defend. They seemed to have the match in the bag until a final Iranian surge took them by surprise. A desperate Czech challenge led to an Iranian penalty, and the striker coolly slotted home to take the game to extra time.


A tense moment for the Czech fans as the game goes to extra time

At this stage both sides might have played for penalties, but the Czechs found an extra reserve of energy and extra time saw their best passage of play, scoring a vital third goal and holding out for an Iranian siege. mostlyconnect's team have found form when it mattered, though dubdobdee's side ran them very close. Can the Czechs take it all the way, though?

Final Scores

Iran - 63 points (average 3.32)
Czech Republic - 65 points (average 3.42)

Comments

[blue-russian.livejournal.com]

This is a miracle! The Czechs are one of the least musical nations out there.

[byebyepride.livejournal.com]

But quite nifty at the old football, if yesterday's showing was anything to judge by. Perhaps some of the flair on the other pitch translated into extra energy in the closing minutes here. But I agree that the Republic was robbed!

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

I have the (football) Czechs in my work sweepstake - I was highly encouraged!