Dočkal demands more from victorious Czechs

Carlsberg Sport Man of the Match, Bořek Dočkal, told UEFA.com the Czech Republic still have room for improvement despite making a winning start to their Group B campaign.

Czech captain Dočkal led by example, scoring twice early in the second half to help the 2002 champions to a 2-1 victory against Ukraine in Viborg. However, having eased into a position of relative comfort, Jakub Dovalil's men were left clinging on after Maxym Biliy's 87th-minute strike reduced Ukraine's deficit and set up a nailbiting finale.

"We're pleased we've won, as well as the fact we were leading 2-0. But we should have played a bit calmer and better," said midfielder Dočkal, whose side are unbeaten in 11 competitive matches since embarking on qualifying in June 2009. "But this was our opening game. We were a bit nervous and the most important thing is that we have three points and are closer to qualification from the group."

Dočkal's double within 11 minutes of the restart tipped the balance in the Czechs' favour after both teams had threatened to break the deadlock in the first period. Marek Suchý said Dovalil had worked at the interval to remind his players of the game plan, which had strayed off course as Ukraine began briskly.

"It's true we didn't play the way we were supposed to in the first half," the FC Spartak Moskva centre-back told UEFA.com. "Our coach told us before the second half to get our act together and pass the ball around more. That way we could get into our opponents' half more easily and create more chances. The goals we scored were the result of good passing."

More of the same will undoubtedly be required on Wednesday when the Czechs face Spain, a side renowned for their slick passing. Victory would be enough to assure Dovalil's men of their place in the last four, although Tomáš Pekhart is aware three points will be hard to come by. "Spain is a football power, so it'll certainly be a tough match," the forward told UEFA.com.

"We will not have an easy match in this group, but we will prepare for it 100% and we all hope we can do it and win." Suchý agreed, saying: "Perhaps they will be even harder than our first opponents. We have to rest first and prepare well. And on Wednesday we will fight again, hoping to get a good result."