Soccer-Czechs beat Ireland to move closer to Euro 2008 berth

...on Wednesday and moved his team a big step closer to advancing to Euro 2008.

Jankulovski struck in the 15th minute when he combined well with Jaroslav Plasil. The AC Milan defender took a return pass and then coolly slotted home a low shot into the Irish goal.

Tempers flared in a match that that at times looked like getting out of the control of Greek referee Kyros Vassaras.

Stephen Hunt, an early first half substitute for Ireland, was jeered loudly by the home crowd, recalling his reckless challenge in an English Premier League match last year that put Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech in hospital with a severe head injury.

The boos reached their worst in the 61st minute when his aggressive tackle from behind on Jan Polak drew an immediate red card from Vassaras, who also handed out nine yellows during the match.

Even though they were down to 10 men, Ireland still mounted some dangerous counter-attacks, and almost capitalised on a mistake by Cech in the 71st minute, but defender David Rozehnal cleared Paul McShane's weak shot just before it crossed the line.

The Czechs entered the match in second place in the group, five points behind leaders Germany and three ahead of the Irish after eight matches.

With six points now between themselves and Ireland, the Czechs need just one win from their final three games against Germany, Cyprus and Slovakia.