Euro 2016: Czech Republic vs Turkey - 5 players to watch out for
The doors are still open in Group D for the teams to qualify for the second round. A victory for the Czech Republic over Turkey and a loss for Croatia against Spain in the final matchday could see Czech finish second and Croatia 3rd based on goal difference. Turkey meanwhile at max can finish 3rd if they beat the Czech by a huge margin and that can be their only hope of making further progress in the competition.
Having said that a draw for both sides would also dent Czech’s chances of making it to the Round of 16 with results in group E and F becoming the deciding factor of their fortunes. The two sides have met nine times before with the Czechs having a better record of 5 wins, 3 losses and a draw against the Turks.
Turkey haven’t been much convincing in Euro 2016 and only a supreme effort backed up with luck can take them through but the Czechs are in no comfort zone either.
A match in which both teams needing to score without conceding is on the cards and so quite a bit of free flowing attacking football can be expected.
#1 Petr Cech
The vice-captain of the Czech Republic team also carries the tag of the most capped player of the national team with over 120 appearances. At 34, he’s showing no signs of slowing or stopping down and his experience and leadership abilities will come as a huge advantage for the Czechs.
His major strengths are shot stopping showing his immense reflexes. He is equally adept in saving long range and close range shots and his concentration over the course of 90 minutes on the pitch is one worth talking about.
Coming on the back of a good season at Arsenal where he kept 20 clean sheets in 42 games and conceded 42 goals across all club competitions, Cech is yet to keep a clean sheet at the Euro 2016. With both teams likely to attack as a win will only take them through Petr Cech is expected to be in full gear to help his team go through to the next round.