Northern Ireland earned an impressive point in Prague after drawing 0-0 with Czech Republic in their opening World Cup Qualifier on Sunday night. The hosts dominated from the off, but the best chance of the first half fell to Paddy McNair, who saw his low drive kept out by Tomas Vaclik. After the break, the Czechs continued to press, with Filip Novak missing a glorious chance from five yards out, slamming his effort wide despite being in acres of space. More defensive heroics from Michael O'Neill's side handed the visitors an important point, on a night where Group C favourites Germany secured a comfortable 3-0 win at Norway.
The Czechs started brightly at the Generali Arena, and their first chance fell to Pavel Kaderabek at the back post after five minutes. The unmarked defender could not get a proper connection from the cross however, and the ball bounced off his knee and over the bar. Northern Ireland's Kyle Lafferty attempts a speculative overhead kick. Despite dominating possession early on, the hosts struggled in the final third, with Northern Ireland's McNair going closest down the other end. After Conor McLaughlin won the ball on the halfway line, he found McNair, who steamed forward and unleashed a shot from 18 yards out, but Tomas Vaclik was on hand to keep the low effort out. Northern Ireland were on the backfoot from the off in the second half as well, with Vaclav Kadlec's low drive kept out by Michael McGovern.
Vaclav Kadlec then saw his powerful effort stopped by McGovern before Novak spurned the best chance of the match. Northern Ireland's Conor McLaughlin (right) and Czech Republic's Ladislav Krejci battle for the ball Northern Ireland's Conor McLaughlin (right) and Czech Republic's Ladislav Krejci battle for the ball A long throw caused chaos in the Northern Ireland box, and a Ladislav Krejci flick-on fell to Novak, who showed little composure to volley wide with just the 'keeper to beat. Backs-to-the-wall defending from Northern Ireland followed, with Jonny Evans throwing his body in front of a Kadlec strike with under 15 minutes to go. Just as the announcer revealed there would be four minutes of added time, Vladimir Darida picked out Krejci on the edge of the area, but his effort trickled inches wide as Northern Ireland held on.
Northern Ireland's Jonny Evans and Paddy McNair share their thoughts on their sides 0-0 draw at Czech Republic. O'Neill's men face San Marino at home on October 8 before heading to Germany three days later.
