Once again the “Brave Falcons” were beaten by the Czech Republic, tonight after a hard-fought game, 2–0. With this loss our team’s chances of finishing in one of the top two places in the group have been significantly reduced.

Lukáš Červ opened the way to three points for the Czech Republic: at the end of the third minute he was first to a loose ball and nicely placed it into the top left corner past Danijel Petković.

After that Montenegro attacked the opponent’s goal more aggressively, however it was the Czechs who created several dangerous situations. Still, Petković was reliable in goal.

The first big chance for the “Falcons” came from talented midfielder Andrija Bulatović in the 23rd minute. He received the ball after a corner from around 35 metres and then struck the crossbar with a brilliant shot. Soon after captain Stevan Jovetić had a chance and shot just wide, as did Nikola Krstović. Nevertheless, the score remained unchanged.

In the second half the Czech Republic controlled the game more, while Montenegro, with great fighting spirit, tried to equalize. Coach Robert Prosinečki attempted to speed up his team with substitutions; defender Milan Roganović, another talented youngster, was given his debut. In the 65th minute the “falcons” had a great chance: Milan Vukotić shot, Jindřich Staněk saved, and Driton Camaj was first to the rebound, but the Czech goalkeeper managed to deny his lob attempt.

As time passed the Czechs wisely ran down the clock and in the very finale, through several counterattacks, threatened Petković. They succeeded once: Václav Černý clinically finished his team’s move and set the final score.

Montenegro now turns to a new challenge, visiting Croatia in Zagreb on Monday, September 8.

 

Montenegro – Czech Republic 0:2

City Stadium, Podgorica.
Attendance: 6,315.

Referee: Marco Guida (Italy) 

Goalscorers
0:1 – Lukáš Červ 3', 0:2 – Václav Černý 90'+6 

Bookings
Marko Janković, Milan Vukotić, Andrija Bulatović – Montenegro
Ladislav Krejčí – Czech Republic 

Montenegro: Danijel Petković; Marko Vukčević (from 77' Stefan Mugoša), Stefan Savić, Igor Vujačić, Andrija Vukčević (from 58' Milan Roganović), Marko Janković (from 70' Vasilije Adžić), Miloš Brnović (from 58' Andrej Camaj), Andrija Bulatović, Milan Vukotić (from 70' Stefan Lončar), Stevan Jovetić, Nikola Krstović.
Head coach: Robert Prosinečki. 

Czech Republic: Jindřich Staněk; David Dudera (from 49' Robin Kranač), Tomáš Holeš, Ladislav Krejčí, Jaroslav Zelený, Tomáš Souček, Lukáš Červ (from 84' Michal Sadílek), Lukáš Provod, Pavel Šulc (from 84' Jan Kučera), Vasil Kušej (from 46' Václav Černý), Patrik Šik (from 71' Tomáš Horínek).
Head coach: Ivan Hašek.