Scotland failed to bag a much-needed three points in Saturday's qualifier as Czech Rep came twice from behind for a 2-2 draw.
Levein's men pegged back twice by determined Czech Republic
Scotland failed to bag a much-needed three points in Saturday's controversial Euro 2012 qualifier as Czech Republic came twice from behind to seal a 2-2 draw.
The hosts had one shot on target in the first half at Hampden Park but it was the one that counted as Kenny Miller capitalised on a solid Darren Fletcher pass to fire home from the edge of the box on the stroke of half-time.
The visitors pulled themselves level through Jaroslav Plasil in the 78th minute after substitute Jan Rezek picked him out in the six-yard box but Craig Levein's men came back five minutes later when Miller turned creator and set up Fletcher perfectly to slide the ball home from close range.
Drama was rife in the concluding minutes as referee Kevin Blom pointed to the penalty spot after Rezek went down easily off young substitute Danny Wilson in the area and Michal Kadlec wasted no time in converting with a spot-kick Allan McGregor had no chance of saving.
The home side thought they had a chance to go back ahead for the win in the dying stages as Christophe Berra appeared to be brought down by Roman Hubnik in the box but Blom refused to give another penalty and instead booked the Wolves defender, much to the outrage of the Scotland faithful.
Levein's men now remain five points behind the second-placed Czech Republic in Group I to leave their hopes of winning a play-off spot all but over, with runaway leaders Spain expected to walk away with automatic qualification.
Return
The Scots were given a pre-match boost when Fletcher was selected to lead the side.
The Manchester United midfielder was back in the national side for the first time this year despite having only played two competitive games since the beginning of March after being hit by a lingering virus.
Berra was preferred to Wilson as partner to Gary Caldwell in the heart of Craig Levein's defence due to his greater experience.
But perhaps more importantly for the Scots' qualification hopes was the news that the visitors named an uncapped goalkeeper, Jan Lastuvka, in the absence of injured Chelsea number one Petr Cech.
The Tartan Army knew three points were needed - and also against Lithuania on Tuesday night - for their team to have a realistic chance of winning a play-off spot.
That considered, there was a predictable early surge from the home side, roared on by a capacity 52,000 crowd.
But in the fifth minute Czech Republic broke and striker Milan Baros worked a one-two with Petr Jiracek only to balloon the return ball over the bar from 12 yards.
Then, with Hampden fervour dampened, Czech defender Jan Rajnoch headed a free-kick from captain Tomas Rosicky past the post from eight yards.
The visitors looked comfortable as they bossed possession as Scotland struggled to get at their defence and midfielder Scott Brown picked up a booking for a foul on Rosicky which meant he would miss the game against Lithuania.
It was not going to plan for Scotland and nerves began to jangle as the visitors, spearheaded by the impressive Baros, pushed forward with purpose.
At the other end Scotland's lone striker Miller was receiving little support from his midfield and Czech goalkeeper Lastuvka was having an easy debut.
The Czechs looked more likely to open the scoring as the game became stretched and increasingly frantic, but it all turned in the 44th minute when Miller took a pass from Fletcher inside the box and Lastuvka could only help the Cardiff striker's drive into the net.
The goal lifted the Hampden crowd at the break but Baros missed another good chance for the visitors a minute in to the second half when he slipped his shot past the far post.
Miller was then booked for a foul on Czech defender Tomas Hubschman which ruled him out of the visit of the Lithuanians.
But Scotland were playing with more confidence and for the first time in the game put the Czechs under some concerted pressure, although McGregor had to make a save from Rosicky after the Arsenal player had made a yard of space for himself.
As some of the energy seemed to sap out of the Scottish legs, Czech Republic came back in to the game.
Failed
In the 65th minute, following another Rosicky free-kick into the box, the ball fell at the back post to defender Roman Hubnik who hit the side-netting, moments before Miller just failed to get on to the end of a James Morrison cross.
The visitors became increasingly dangerous and crosses flew in to the Scotland box.
But the Scots were struggling and in the 78th minute it was all square when midfielder Plasil forced in a cross from substitute Rezek, who had replaced Milan Petrzela.
However, in the 81st minute Scotland regained the lead when Miller skipped away from Rajnoch down the left and set up Fletcher who slipped the ball past Lastuvka from close range.
But, in the 89th minute, Wilson, on for Phil Bardsley, was adjudged to have fouled Rezek in the box and Kadlec slammed in the spot-kick.
Scotland were then denied a penalty claim of their own and Berra was booked for diving.
| Scotland |
Team Statistics |
Czech Republic |
| 2 |
Goals |
2 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 3 |
Shots on Target |
3 |
| 2 |
Shots off Target |
5 |
| 4 |
Blocked Shots |
7 |
| 4 |
Corners |
3 |
| 16 |
Fouls |
17 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 3 |
Yellow Cards |
5 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 75.9 |
Passing Success |
81.3 |
| 17 |
Tackles |
15 |
| 88.2 |
Tackles Success |
60 |
| 48.2 |
Possession |
51.8 |
| 47.2 |
Territorial Advantage |
52.8 |
|
