Bulgaria hold Czech Republic

Petr Cech: Barely tested as Czech Republic kept a clean sheet

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Czech Republic and Bulgaria cancelled each other out as they played out a drab goalless draw in their 2014 World Cup qualification Group B clash in Prague.

There was just one save of note when Nikolay Mihailov denied Czech midfielder Vladimar Darida a little more than a quarter of an hour from full-time.

The hosts entered the game third in the group with four points from two games, one behind Bulgaria who had played one game more.

In their last match the Czechs encountered dogged resistance from traditional whipping boys Malta before they eventually ran out 3-1 winners but victory tonight would have put them in a good position behind leaders Italy.

Stanislav Manolev had a shot just 12 seconds into the game and Georgi Iliev put an effort wide as Bulgaria started the brighter in a tight opening to the game between two evenly-matched teams.

The hosts did not threaten until midway through the half when Tomas Sivok headed Jaroslav Plasil's corner over from the six-yard line.

Their next opening also came from a Plasil corner, this time Petr Jiracek sending his header wide.

However, half-time arrived with neither side having carved out a clear-cut opening.

Jiracek's left-footed shot was comfortably gathered by Mihailov, with opposite number Petr Cech responding in kind from Ivelin Popov's 20-yard attempt and Georgi Milanov heading wide from close range for Bulgaria before shooting over.

It was not until the 74th minute that either goalkeeper was properly tested, with Mihailov tipping midfielder Darida's shot over.

Tomas Hubschman shot over for the hosts and team-mate Michal Kadlec drilled wide as the clock ticked down but the game ended soon after.