Cech welcomes Scolari to Chelsea

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has welcomed Luiz Felipe Scolari being appointed the team's new manager, expressing hopes he would reproduce his international success with the Premier League giants.

“He is a manager with great charisma, great experience, great results, I look forward to working with him,” the Czech national goalkeeper said in an interview published on the national federation's website on Thursday.

“I hope that his (past) results are confirmed with us at Chelsea,” he added.

The 59-year-old Brazilian, currently managing the high flying Portuguese national team in the Euro-2008 Championships, was confirmed as successor to Avram Grant late Wednesday.

Cech, on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat by Portugal Wednesday, also talked up the national team's chances of beating Turkey in what will now be a decisive qualification clash on Sunday. Both sides are fighting for second place in the group with the same points and goal difference.

“I believe that it will not go to penalties, that we will be able to repeat the very good performance against Portugal and that we will defeat Turkey,” Cech said.

Under new championship rules, a penalty shootout will decide which team proceeds from the group stage if they are tied on points and goal difference.

Cech added: “It is better than if were were to draw lots. It is in our hands, we must control the match.”