Monday, June 19, 2006

Punter's Guide Mon, Jun 19, 2006

Punter's Guide Mon, Jun 19, 2006   
Czech striker Milan Baros back in training   
 
Associated Press
 

WESTERBURG, Germany -- Striker Milan Baros resumed light training Monday, giving the team hope he might return for the Czech Republic`s last World Cup Group E match against Italy.
 
Baros strained a tendon in his left foot in a friendly on June 3.
 
Since the team arrived in Germany a few days later, he has trained once under painkillers and could only watch as his team surprisingly lost 2-0 to Ghana after an opening 3-0 win over the United States.
 
With a number of players injured or suspended, Baros` presence in the Czech lineup on Thursday in Hamburg would boost the Czechs` chances of beating Italy and advancing to the second round.
 
Baros was the team`s leading scorer at the 2004 European Championship with five goals and has a total 27 in 49 internationals. He also scored five goals in the Czech World Cup qualifying campaign.
 
The Aston Villa striker, who so far was able only to walk and ride a bicycle without pain, was cleared by doctors to start running.
 
Baros was running and doing stretching exercises on Monday on a practice field by the team`s hotel by the Wiesensee lake in central Germany. He was accompanied only by team physician Petr Krejci and assistant coach Jaroslav Silhavy.
 
The other players had a day off practice, allowed by coach Karel Bruckner ahead of the crucial encounter with an opponent the Czechs considered favorite to top the group, and win the tournament.
 
"It`s an experienced team, with a number of great players and perfect defense," Bruckner said of Italy. "It`s one of the favorites of the tournament."
 
"We don`t have enough points and have to face the strongest team in our group," Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved said. "We still have a small chance and we`ll fight to advance."
 
All four teams still have a chance to advance from the group after Italy beat Ghana 2-0 and drew with the United States 1-1. Ghana and the Czechs have three points each and the United States has one.
 
Ghana faces the United States in its final match also Thursday.
 
Although Czechoslovakia - which split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993 - played in the World Cup eight times, the new Czech Republic was appearing in the World Cup for the first time.
 
Czechoslovakia reached the World Cup final twice, losing to Italy in 1934 and Brazil in 1962. Italy also beat Czechoslovakia in their 1990 World Cup clash 2-0, while the Czech Republic won 2-1 at the 1996 European Championship.
 
With first-choice striker Jan Koller ruled out after injuring a hamstring in the opening 3-0 win over the United States, the Czechs will also miss Vratislav Lokvenc, who replaced Koller and was upfront alone against Ghana. He is suspended for Thursday`s game after picking up a second yellow card.
 
Hannover striker Jiri Stajner was likely to make the starting lineup against Italy alongside Baros, if Baros is selected.
 
The Czechs will also be missing central defender Tomas Ujfalusi, who was sent off against Ghana and is suspended. Spartak Moscow defender Radoslav Kovac was a likely replacement.
 
Adding to Bruckner`s selection headache, Left-back Marek Jankulovski sat out practice Sunday with an ankle injury.
 
"We won`t be the favorite (against Italy) and we could take them by surprise as Ghana surprised us," captain Tomas Galasek said.

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