The Czech Republic, Holland's main rival for a ticket to Portugal 2004, easily defeated Austria Wenesday. The match in Prague finished 4-0. The Czechs have the same amount of points as Holland but a slightly better goal average.
The Czech Republic, with Ajax midfielder Tomás Galásek in the starting eleven, started convincingly. By halftime the home side were up 2-0.
Nedved opened the score after 19 minutes. Koller doubled the Czechs' lead after 30 minutes.
In the second half the Czech team extended the lead from a penalty by Jankulovski. Austrian Kovacevic was red-carded.
Koller finally made it 4-0 with his second of the evening.
Group 3
Czech Rep. - Austria 4-0 (2-0). 18. Nedved 1-0, 32. Koller 2-0, 56. Jankulovski 3-0 (strafschop), 62. Koller 4-0.
Czech Rep: Cech; Grygera, Ujfalusi, Bolf and Jankulovski; Poborski, Galasek, Nedved (74. Vachousek) and Smicer (63. Rosicky); Baros and Koller (79. Lokvenc).
Austria: Mndl; Scharner, Hieblinger, Stranzl and Pogatetz; Schopp, Herzog (53. Kovacevic), Flugel en Aufhauser; Haas (63. Dospel) and Weissenberger.