Defeat against Czech is avoidable - Jones

Wrzburg, June 15, GNA 96 One of Ghana's renowned coaches, Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, has said a defeat against the Czech Republics on Saturday could be avoidable if the Black Stars approached the game with the same attitude displayed in their game against Italy on Monday.

"The Czechs are very good and to me the strongest in the group. Yes, they start as favourites but I think we can beat them if the boys approach the game the same way they did against Italy and this time, try and convert their chances," he told the GNA Sports in Wurzburg.


The 2000 African Coach of the Year served as a spy on the Czechs who currently top the table with a superior goal difference to Italy's.


He told GNA Sports, "the type of football they are playing is very high and they have the players to do the trick all the time."


Coach Attuquayefio reckons the team's strength lies in how long they have been together and their fluidity among themselves.


The Czechs will miss the services of their most reliable strikers Jan Kollar and Milan Baros to injuries - a situation their skipper Pavel Nedved maintained could affect their chances against the Ghanaians. But coach Attuquayefio insists, "they have such a complete team and it will be suicidal to fall for what Nedved is saying."


The Liberty Professionals trainer says such comments must be disregarded since "the team can boast of a great tactical strength and a completeness that transcends any individual."

He cautioned that the Czechs could present a better team than the one they used against the United States of America (USA), which the former won 3-0.


"Having followed the team for some time, I'm convinced their output against USA on Monday was about 60% below what they can do on a brighter day."


Coach Attuquayefio noted that despite the absence of Jan Kohler, the team has an equally good striker, Uratislav Lokvevc, who is cast in the mould of Kolher and could cause havoc as well.


"Aside this, they have Rosiscky to do the trick and they could be a team that attacks in droves all the time. In fact, they are always all over the place but I believe, regardless of the goals to Italy, the boys have acquired some level of experience that will help them play better. "


Honestly, we are in a difficult game judging from a squad that includes goalkeeper Peter Cech and a host of players that often play at the highest level.


"It will be tough but it is my philosophy is never to conclude based on their strength because anything can happen in football."

Against the Americans, the Czechs played a 4-5-1 game but coach Attuquayefio expects them to use the orthodox 4-4-2 system against the Ghanaians.


Coach Attuquayefio however noted that the task was surmountable adding, "Our team has all that it takes to perform and I believe the desired results will be achieved at the end of the day."


"The boys are committed, hardworking and are hungry to remain in the competition and this is what I think will do the magic for us."


The Stars are tasked to win Saturday's duel in Cologne if they are to progress to the next stage of the competition that polls them alongside Italy and USA in Group E.