Czech Republic 7-0 San Marino: Baros bags four
Milan Baros found the net four times as the Czech Republic dismantled 10-man San Marino in a one-sided World Cup qualifier in Uherske Hradiste this evening.
A Vaclav Sverkos brace and a further strike by Tomas Necid completed the rout
for the hosts.
The three points keep the Czechs in the mix for a play-off spot in Group Three
with two matches remaining.
Former Liverpool striker Baros opened the floodgates with the first goal after
28 minutes, a low shot beyond the grasp of Aldo Simoncini in the San Marino
net.
Tomas Hubschman played in Baros for his second on the stroke of the interval
and the Galatasaray frontman completed a first-half hat-trick in stoppage time
from the penalty spot.
Sverkos increased the hosts' advantage two minutes after the restart with a
deflected effort while Baros finished his goalscoring antics for the evening
when he knocked home the fifth from close range after 66 minutes.
San Marino's dismal night got worse after 82 minutes when Simone Bacciocchi
picked up a second yellow card to leave the visitors a man down, and the Czechs
capitalised four minutes later when Necid headed home Hubschman's cross to make
it 6-0.
Sverkos was denied the chance to make it seven in injury time when Simoncini
saved his spot-kick, but the Sochaux striker made amends five minutes into
stoppage time when he swept home his second to round off the scoring.
"I am very glad we succeeded in this match and with the size of the result," said Czech Republic coach Ivan Hasek. "Seven-nil is an interesting result for us. I am also glad that none of the players are injured after this match. The match was not easy. The opposition was very aggressive, and therefore we did not score at the beginning. But afterwards, it was nice to watch the score growing."