Here we go: Czech Republic 2 Kosovo 1 in Prague, a friendly that still felt like a selection meeting for I. Hašek as he narrows his squad for the summer qualifiers. His 3-4-2-1 again looked aggressive early and the returning home crowd saw that plan peak when Tomáš Ladra scored in the 12th minute after David Douděra stretched the right flank and supplied the assist.
Jan Kuchta’s knock forced Hašek to summon Mojmír Chytil in the 21st minute and that switch paid off immediately. Chytil’s timing between the lines unsettled Franco Foda’s 4-4-2 and he gave Adam Hložek the service for the second goal in the 32nd minute. With Alexandr Sojka tucked inside and Douděra overlapping, the Czechs were able to pin Kosovo’s full backs and prevent Mërgim Vojvoda from launching transitions.
Hašek flipped the entire structure at half-time, making six changes and turning the shape into something closer to a 3-5-1-1. Michal Sadílek and Tomáš Holeš added control while Denis Višinský’s width kept Kosovo honest even if this second-half lineup lacked the same edge. Kosovo’s response came once Foda introduced Baton Zabergja at the break and later Vesel Demaku and Valmir Matoshi in the 62nd minute, shifts that finally brought tempo and permitted Lindon Emërllahu, on for Leon Avdullahu in the 75th minute, to break lines.
Kosovo were sharper in the last twenty minutes and Emërllahu converted that pressure with his goal in the 80th minute. Demaku’s yellow card two minutes later killed some of their momentum yet did not hide the fact that Foda’s bench forced the Czechs backwards. Lukáš Horníček had to stay alert even as Christophe Kabongo and Denis Višinský tried to spring late counters once Jaroslav Zelený came on in the 74th minute to settle the back three.
Hašek will still be pleased. Ladra and Douděra rebuilt the right corridor, Chytil reminded everyone of his worth after one swift assist, and the bench minutes for Sadílek and David Jurásek will matter when the competitive fixtures resume. Foda travels back to Pristina with more questions at centre midfield but evidence that Emërllahu and Matoshi can tilt games from the bench. For broader context on this international window, see how Germany vs Finland unfolded last night.
Statistics
- Goals: Tomáš Ladra scored in the 12th minute and Adam Hložek scored in the 32nd minute for Czech Republic; Lindon Emërllahu scored in the 80th minute for Kosovo.
- Assist providers: David Douděra, Mojmír Chytil.
- Bookings: Vesel Demaku was shown a yellow card in the 82nd minute.
- Selected substitutions: Mojmír Chytil replaced Jan Kuchta in the 21st minute; Hugo Sochurek, David Jurásek, Christophe Kabongo, Michal Sadílek, Denis Višinský and Tomáš Holeš all came on at half-time; Jaroslav Zelený replaced Štěpán Chaloupek in the 74th minute; Baton Zabergja entered at the break for Kosovo; Vesel Demaku and Valmir Matoshi came on in the 62nd minute; Lindon Emërllahu and Ron Raçi were introduced in the 75th minute; Rilind Nivokazi appeared in the 90th minute.
