West Ham United midfielder Katerina Svitkova netted the Czech Republic’s goal as they drew 1-1 with Switzerland in Chomutov.
The Czechs took on the Swiss in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 play-off at the Stadium FC Chomutov this afternoon. Both sides finished as runners-up in their respective groups in the standard qualification campaign and the winners of their play-off will qualify for the tournament finals in England next year.
Svitkova was the only Barclays FA Women’s Super League player in the Czech squad, however, Switzerland had three English-based representatives in their side with Arsenal trio Noelle Maritz, Malin Gut and Lia Walti starting the match.
The first half produced no goals, although it was the visitors who looked to be the most dangerous in attack. Home keeper Barbora Votikova was kept busy throughout the half while the Czech Republic struggled to create chances of their own at the other end.
Karel Rada’s side were handed a golden opportunity early in the second half when Swiss centre-back Julia Stierli fouled Andrea Staskova in the box. West Ham United midfielder Svitkova stepped up to take the penalty and successfully converted from 12 yards.
Chances were at a premium after that goal and it looked as though the Czech Republic would take a narrow lead into the second leg until Svitkova fouled Swiss substitute Irina Pando in the final minute and the visitors were awarded a penalty kick. Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic netted an equaliser and more crucially, an away goal for the visitors ahead of Tuesday’s return leg in Thun.