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Czechs beat Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 in friendly

Monday, June 5, 2006

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (Reuters): Striker Jan Koller notched a pair of goals and Pavel Nedved added another as the Czech Republic beat Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 on Saturday in their final tune-up ahead of the World Cup finals.

Czech midfielder Jan Polan (R) and Chris
Birchall of Trinidad and Tobago fight for the
ball during a friendly match between the
Czech Republic and Trinidad and Tobago
in Prague 3 June 2006, six days before the
beginning of the FIFA World Cup 2006 in
Germany. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR

Koller looked to have regained his form after missing several months following knee surgery, a welcome sign for a Czech team depleted by injury.

The towering Borussia Dortmund striker headed home Karel Poborsky's cross from the left side just six minutes into the match.

Midfielder Nedved made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute with his long drive before helping set up Koller to make it 3-0 five minutes before halftime.

The Czechs have been hit by injuries in recent weeks, with Vladimir Smicer ruled out of the World Cup finals due to a nagging leg injury, while Koller, striker Vratislav Lokvenc, defender Zdenek Grygera are all coming off lengthy layoffs.

Rangers's midfielder Libor Sionko, called up to replace Smicer, had one good scoring chance but his shot was stopped by goalie Kelvin Jack.

The Czechs open their group E games on June 12 against the United States. Italy and Ghana are in the same group.

Trinidad and Tobago are making their first appearance in the World Cup finals and play England, Paraguay and Sweden in the opening group stage.

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