Jaroslav Šulec, Author of Viral Quote, Out of Czech National Team Nomination
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC – November 7, 2023 - Jaroslav Šulec, the player whose defiant statement ”Feel free to put it on me” gained widespread attention, has been dropped from the Czech Republic national team’s squad for upcoming November matches, alongside teammate Jan Kušej. The Czech Football association (FAČR) announced the changes today, citing health reasons for several absences.
Injuries have also ruled out Václav Jemelka and Pavel Šulec. Interim head coach Michal Köstl has responded by calling up defender Štěpán Chaloupek, midfielders Tomáš Ladra and Kryštof Daňek, and goalkeeper Jakub Markovič.
“We had to make several changes, mainly for health reasons,” Köstl stated on the FAČR website. ”As we announced earlier, the goalkeeper will be replaced by Jakub Markovič. Štěpán Chaloupek, Tomáš Ladra and Kryštof Daněk deserved the nomination with their current performances at the club level.”
The Czech team will conclude their 2023 schedule with a preparatory match against San Marino in Karviná on Thursday, followed by a final World Cup qualification group match against Gibraltar in Olomouc four days later.
Markovič, 24, was recently reinstated as a goalkeeper for his club, replacing Jindřich Staněk in a league match on Sunday. He has been previously called up to the national team but has yet to make an appearance.
Ladra, 28, had a standout performance for Plzeň on Sunday, scoring a goal and providing an assist in a 3-5 defeat against Slavia.Chaloupek, 22, is a regular starter for Prague, while Daňek, also 22, is a key member of LASK Linec’s starting eleven.
Köstl took temporary charge of the national team following the October dismissal of head coach Ivan Hašek and his colleague Jaroslav Veselé after a 1-2 loss to the Faroe Islands in World Cup qualifying. The FAČR is currently searching for a permanent replacement, focusing their search internationally.
Despite not yet securing second place in their qualifying group – currently trailing the Faroe Islands by only one point – the Czech Republic is almost certain to participate in a play-off for World Cup advancement due to their victory in last year’s League of Nations group. november’s matches will be crucial in securing a favorable seeding for the play-off draw and possibly home-field advantage in the semifinals.
the national team convened in Prague today and will travel to Ostrava on Tuesday, with a stadium visit in Karviná scheduled for Wednesday. They will then move to Olomouc on Saturday.
