PRAGUE -- The Czech Republic stayed on
top of World Cup European group three when they drew 0-0 with
Denmark on Wednesday.
Both teams had several chances to score but Czech goalkeeper
Pavel Srnicek and his Danish counterpart Thomas Soerensen both
made several key saves.
The result leaves the Czechs with 11 points after five
games. Bulgaria jumped over Denmark into second on 10 points
after they beat Northern Ireland 4-3. Denmark slipped to third
with nine points.
Liverpool's Vladimir Smicer had three scoring chances from
close range for the Czechs but Soerensen foiled each attempt.
Midfielder Karel Poborsky had the best chance of the game
for the home side in the 70th minute when he took Anderlecht
striker Jan Koller's clever pass on the right side of the
penalty box but then missed a wide open goal.
Denmark looked to have scored the winner in the 85th minute
when Jan Dahl Tomasson slotted home Ebbe Sands's header but the
referee whistled for offside.
Bulgaria beat N.Ireland 4-3 to keep hopes alive
SOFIA -- Bulgaria earned a precious 4-3
win over Northern Ireland in their World Cup European group
three qualifier on Wednesday to boost their hopes of making next
year's finals.
Bulgaria is one point behind leaders Czech Republic with 10 points from five games. Northern Ireland stay a poor
fourth with just four points from their five matches.
Midfielder Krassimir Balakov opened the scoring for Bulgaria
in the seventh minute after he was hacked down by Colin Murdoch
in the box.
Defender Mark Williams headed an equaliser for Northern
Ireland in the 15th minute after outjumping the home defence at
a corner.
Martin Petrov restored the Bulgarian lead two minutes later
then Krassimir Chomakov struck in the 72nd minute and Petrov
made it 4-1 with 12 minutes to go.
Stuart Elliot headed a second for Northern Ireland six
minutes from time and David Healy scored a last-gasp penalty to
give the home side a few late anxious moments.
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