Defensive Scots go down in Prague

Scotland slipped to the first defeat of their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign on Friday after a Roman Hubnik goal gave the Czech Republic a well-deserved 1-0 win in Prague.

Coach Craig Levein went for a 4-6-0 formation with no central striker as the Scots opted for an ultra-cautious set-up with the emphasis more on not conceding than scoring.

The defensive approach appeared to be working in their bid to pick up an away point as they fought off wave after wave of attacks until Hubnik finally headed the home side ahead in the 69th minute.

“We played patiently, with a lot of effort,” said Czech coach Michal Bilek.

“I appreciate the commitment on the part of our players.”

“Our effort and determination were rewarded with a goal, and we are very happy with the three points and with how the players handled the game under pressure.”

The Scots threw men forward in the last 20 minutes as they looked for an equaliser but couldn’t find a way back into the game and the result leaves them on four points after three matches, with a match against world champions Spain to come on Tuesday.

“I was happy with the system I played and thought it worked well,” said Levein. “The game opened up after we made the substitutions but once you go a goal down, everything changes.”

Levein handed a debut to Queen’s Park Rangers striker James Mackie in place of the in-form Kenny Miller but he had to help out at the back early on as the Czechs dominated possession.

The resolute Scottish defence confined the Czechs to long-range efforts without any danger until Tomas Necid found room at the edge of the box and fired in a fierce shot that Allan McGregor did well to get down low to to save.

Moments later Necid was appealing for a penalty when he appeared to have his shirt pulled by Stephen McManus but referee Ivan Bebek waved away his protests and the Czech forward soon found his name in Bebek’s book when he was booked for a blatant dive on the edge of the box.

Arsenal’s Tomas Rosicky fired wide from a tight angle following a mazy run as Scotland continued to soak up the pressure.

Scotland survived a scare in the 39th minute when a free-kick was knocked on to Hubnik but McGregor got down well to smother his close-range effort.

There was another let off for the Scots just before the break when the ball broke to Necid at the penalty spot but Mackie slid in to block his low drive.

The Czechs began the second-half in a similar fashion and McGregor had to be at full stretch to tip over Michal Kadlec’s header as he connected with Rosicky’s corner.

McGregor pulled off a tremendous save when Jan Polak rose to send a header bouncing off the turf from Rosicky’s cross but the keeper dived to keep it out with a one-handed save.

The Czech Republic got the goal their pressure deserved in the 69th minute.

Rosicky’s corner from the left was flicked on by substitute Roman Bednar for Hubnik to nod into the net past McGregor from five yards out.