Czech mate?

The Czechs could be under-strength should their ace-striker Milan Baros fail a late fitness test. Since his foot injury in a friendly kickabout, it has been a race against time to get this former Liverpool striker back up on his feet. But the Republic’s talismanic skipper Pavel Nedved is fit and well after recovering from a training accident.

At the other camp, Coach Bruce Arena expects striker Brian Ching to be fit for this encounter. Claudio Reyna too, has been given the all clear for his fourth World Cup appearance. At a ripe “old” age of 32, he is ready and needs to make an impact in this World Cup before it’s too late.