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By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer in Prague
Following their unbeaten streak was ended by the Republic deservedly in qualifiers extending back 10 26,, england has to wait to confirm their location.
Gareth Southgates side could have secured their place at next summers tournament with success in Prague but they can have no complaints after a wretched display.
If they beat Bulgaria and Kosovo dont beat on Montenegro england can be eligible on Monday.
England were handed the ideal start when captain Harry Kane place them ahead from the penalty spot in the fifth minute but they had been well below their best and slumped into a defeat.
The Czechs were swiftly flat when Jakub Brabec felt following a corner. England couldnt muster further inspiration and substitute Zdenek Ondrasek pounced to score the winner with four minutes left.
England were weak during and were grateful to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, that made fine rescue from Vladimir Coufal, Masopust and Alex Kral, although Czech counterpart Tomas Vaclik did well to deny Sterling along with Kane.
They can put things right against Bulgaria at Sofia however that was a reality check to get a side expecting to do great things next summer, since they went down on 10 October 47, dropping a qualifier for the first time.
This will rank as the manager himself has to take his share of the responsibility and one of their worst performances of Southgates predominate.
No-one can whine about his decision to give his debut to Chelseas in-form Mason Mount ahead of Ross Barkley but the child never flourished in an advanced position in the first half.
Components will relish facing Southgate and this England defence is running from time to apply the fix
Mount was able to affect the game and also Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice pedestrian and vulnerable, England found themselves overrun by the Czechs.
England attacking trio of Sterling Kane and Jadon Sancho were starved which makes them.
Even the Czech Republic, supported with a noisy crowd in Prague, gathered confidence and momentum and it was no surprise when Pickfords immunity was finally broken by Ondrasek .
This was simply not good from England along with the concerns that surfaced about their true quality if they won 5-3 in chaotic style against Kosovo at Southampton will just increase after this.
Any hope the doubt that characterised the success of England against Kosovo had been successfully addressed was banished in Prague inside the first 10 minutes.
Since the Czech Republic reacted to the ancient salvo of England pickford saved brilliantly from Coufal however there was the trademark confusion in the consequent corner that ended with Brabec stabbing home from close variety.
England lived dangerously throughout and it was not a shock when they finally surrendered.
Evertons Michael Keane struggles desperately in the amount while Kieran Trippier and full-backs Danny Rose hardly covered themselves in glory .
Harry Maguire looks the 1 staple in defence but he fails to exude confidence.
In other words, quality sides will relish facing this England defence and Southgate is currently running from time to apply the fix.
England traveling to Bulgaria on Monday (kick-off 19:45 BST) attempting to secure a spot at Euro 2020.
There was somebody out there who did who would do it and do it again
Read more here: http://softballedge.com/?p=32255
