Over the 1:2 defeat in Iceland in September, even with a bit of generosity, the eyes could be narrowed. After winning the friendly with Slovakia, it was only the second match for the new team, in addition to the artist in Reykjavík and a heated opponent who wanted to take revenge on the Czechs for last year’s play-off at the EURO.
Before the double match in October, the Lvíčata relied on the magic of České Budějovice, where the Czech twenty-one women have lost only once in the last four years. But after the games with Wales (1:1) and Denmark (0:0), it looks as if the team has walked over a mythical lost stone in the Budejovice central square.
Against the Welsh, the Czech team lost a narrow lead after a strike in the 96th minute (Iceland decided in the 94th a month before) and the battle with Denmark, which needed to be won, was marked by a shorthanded winger Matěj Jurásek. He made a pass in the opponent’s box and pulled the ball under him with his hand: the second yellow card was followed by a red card and more than a half-time suspension.
All three qualifying eclipses were completely unnecessary and fundamentally devalued otherwise promising performances. Suchopárk’s team can rely on a relatively solid defense and a solid organization of the game, even if not for the entire match. Too bad about the fateful lapses and glaring reserves in the offensive phase: two goals from three games is anything but a dazzling record. That is also why the Czechs are fourth in the group.
The hard-fought draw with Denmark could be applauded and Jurask’s teammates praised for their courage and endurance, but in the Czech situation this result was not enough. Looking at the table is unpleasant, all the main competitors (Iceland, Wales, Denmark) are doing better from the edge of qualification. A minor extenuating circumstance: unlike the Czechs, they have already played one duel against the last-placed Lithuania, which is the outsider of the group.
The Suchopárek coach also came under pressure. While his previous team only struggled against a strong England in a paper-easier qualifying group (plus a draw in Slovenia), now the chance of direct promotion is fading from the start. What about the Strahov football headquarters? One can guess that the twenty-one will be discussed at the next meeting of the executive committee. National team topics are part of his regular agenda, but without exaggeration: if the A team coach Jaroslav Šilhavý did not fall on Tuesday, Suchopárek will probably withstand the crisis as well.
He himself knows that the year 2024 will mean a hellish mission. The Czechs have to manage five qualifying matches with as few losses as possible, which puts them under even more pressure. A balanced group where teams fight for points can be a hope, but even this can be of no use to the Czech boys if they don’t start collecting wins. For illustration: 17 points, which is a potential maximum for the Lions, was enough for the play-off in the last qualification.
“We have it in our hands,” repeat captain Václav Sejk and co. popular cliché. It can definitely stop paying after the rematch with Iceland in March.
