COPENHAGEN -- A late header by Jon Dahl
Tomasson gave Denmark a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic that
enabled them to leap-frog the losers into second place in their
World Cup qualifying group on Saturday.
Denmark now have 12 points from six matches in group three,
one ahead of the Czechs but one behind new leaders Bulgaria, who
won 1-0 in Northern Ireland.
Tomasson connected a superb cross by forward Martin
Joergensen to finally break down a spirited Czech defence eight
minutes from time.
Denmark went ahead after six minutes with a header by Ebbe
Sand and continued to dominate.
However, Roman Tyce slammed in an equaliser five minutes
before the break to leave the hosts under pressure until the
late winner.
"The Czechs were dangerous but our organisation meant we
kept control of the match," Danish coach Morten Olsen said at a
news conference.
"We are in a good position now but we have some tough
matches ahead. We played incredibly positive football today, we
believed in victory all the time."
Czech coach Jozef Chovanec was disappointed with the result.
"It was a good and interesting match, it met the
expectations of the audience," he said.
"Of course I was hoping for a better result. I am not
disappointed by the match but I am disappointed by the result."
Denmark are at home to Malta, who lost 3-0 to Iceland in
Reykjavik, in their next qualifier on Wednesday.
Ivanov's late goal lifts Bulgaria past Northern Ireland
BELFAST -- Georgi Ivanov scored the only
goal of the game after 52 minutes to give Bulgaria a 1-0 away
victory over Northern Ireland in their World Cup group three
qualifier on Saturday.
The Levski Sofia striker picked up a long through ball from
Krasimir Balakov and calmly picked his spot to easily beat Maik
Talor.
Ivanov almost got a second later in the game as Bulgaria
eased to their fourth win of the campaign to move to provisional
pole position on 13 points, two ahead of the Czech Republic, who
visit third-placed Denmark later on Saturday.
Northern Ireland, who rarely threatened, remain second-last
on four points from six games.
Iceland keeps hope alive with 3-0 win over Malta
REYKJAVIK -- Iceland kept alive their slim
hopes of reaching the 2002 World Cup finals with an easy 3-0 win
over Malta in a European group three qualifier on Saturday.
Iceland repeatedly ripped apart a shaky Maltese defence.
An unmarked Tryggvi Gudmundsson fired the hosts ahead in the
seventh minute, scoring from close range from Helgi Sigurdsson's
cross.
Rikhardur Dadason added a second on 38 minutes and Eidur
Smari Gudjohnsen completed victory with a 68th minute strike.
Iceland have nine points from six matches, level with
third-placed Denmark who were playing group leaders the Czech
Republic also on Saturday.
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