The coach of the futsal national team of the Czech Republic, Tomáš Neumann, is following the end of the overtime with Croatia.
Václav Šálek, ČTK
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The Czech futsal players advanced to the world championship for the fourth time in history and for the third time under Neumann’s leadership. They did not qualify for the last tournament four years ago in Colombia.
“It’s a huge success for Czech futsal. We have to realize that we got into the top seven from 52 European countries. It’s an incredible success and now it’s up to the management to sell and present futsal in the future,” said Neumann in recording for the media.
The joy of Czech futsal players from advancing to the World Cup.
Václav Šálek, ČTK
The Czechs drew 2: 2 in the opening Saturday of the play-off in Zadar, Croatia, and repeated this result in retaliation in Brno. All four goals in the Vodov hall were scored in the first half, the score did not change after the change of sides or in overtime.
Czech futsal players celebrate advancing to the World Cup! They decided only in the penalty shootout
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“I have a feeling that we were a bit better than in Croatia, that we were more active and that the match was in some way balanced for chances. The little things are decisive, and when a little luck came to us, I knew it would turn out well today , “said the 50-year-old coach.
The home team won a close penalty shootout 6: 5, when goalkeeper Ondřej Vahala caught three Croatian executors and two players on the Czech side failed. “As we got up there before the penalties and looked the boys in the eye, I just knew we could do it. Especially that they deserve it and will definitely be rewarded for how we went about it,” Neumann said.
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Croatian coach Mato Stankovic at the end of extra time in a match with Czech futsal players.
Václav Šálek, ČTK
Jiří Vokoun, inexperienced, turned the decisive penalty kick into the eighth series. “I told Voky to go dig earlier. He said he didn’t feel it and didn’t believe he had never kicked it. When no one else was there, I said: Voky, just fly in there and put it on, don’t look, narrow it and it will fall there, don’t worry, “Neuman smiled.
He praised not only the penalty hero Vahal, but also the younger goalkeeper Lukáš Němec, who excellently represented the sick number one in the opening duel with the Croats. “Ondra Vahala caught reliably not only in penalties, but also in matches. We know that. Lukáš added to that with his performance in Croatia, it was decisive for us,” stated the Prague native.
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