Czech penalty was bad decision, admits Vladimir Smicer
- Published
Michal Kadlec made the score 2-2 from the penalty spot at Hampden
Czech Republic sports manager Vladimir Smicer admits his side were fortunate to be awarded a late penalty but thinks they deserved a point against Scotland.
"I am not sure it was a penalty," he said of the 2-2 draw, during which the Scots were also denied a late claim.
"Probably not ours or the Scottish claim was a penalty.
"I think we controlled the game and we fought until the end. I think we had a few chances and every time Scotland went ahead, we equalised."
Scotland substitute Danny Wilson claimed he had not touched Jan Resek as the forward won the penalty that allowed the Czechs to draw level in stoppage time.
Moments later, Christophe Berra went down in similar circumstances, but this time referee Kevin Blom booked the Scotland defender for diving.
Craig Levein has called for Blom to be demoted for what the Scotland coach believes were poor decisions in the Euro 2012 qualifier at Hampden.
And Smicer agreed that his side had been fortunate to receive a penalty.
"From my view, it wasn't a penalty," said the former Liverpool midfielder. "In the last minute, it must be 100% a penalty.
"But, even I think after this, we deserved the point.
"We were down 1-0 and 2-1, so a point is a good result for us because we have a good chance to finish second in this group.
"But we wanted more. We wanted to go ahead and we couldn't do it, which is a pity from our point of view because we had good chances."
The Czechs host Spain and are away to Lithuania in their final Group I games and are strong favourites to clinch a play-off place.
Czech coach Michal Bilek, who claimed he did not see the penalty incidents, also thought his side were the better team on the day.
"I felt we played the better football," said the coach of the side who remain five points ahead of Scotland and Lithuania in the chase for the runners-up spot behind Spain.
"We still have two matches to play, so we have to concentrate."