CZECH REPUBLIC WORLD CUP HISTORY

This is the first time the Czech Republic has qualified for the World Cup. However, as Czechoslovakia, the Eastern European country made eight visits to soccer's promised land.

It may be a well-kept secret, but the Czechs finished second in the World Cup twice, including an incredible off-continent and off-hemisphere run in 1962, when the Czechs lost to Brazil in the final in Chile, 3-1. Actually, the Czechs - they were led by midfielder Josef Masopust -- were a so-so 1-1-1 in the opening round and even had a negative goal differential. They started with a 1-0 victory over Spain, played Brazil to a scoreless tie and lost to Mexico, 3-1. But they edged Hungary, 1-0, in the quarterfinals and Yugoslavia in the semifinals, 3-1. Interestingly, the Czechs finished at a zero goal differential in that competition, scoring seven and allowing seven goals.

The last time Czechoslovakia participated was in 1990, when it finished second in its group with a 5-1 trouncing of the U.S. (playing in its first World Cup match in 40 years), a 1-0 victory over Austria and a 2-0 loss to Italy. The Czechs stopped surprise side Costa Rica with a solid 4-1 second-round win, but were eliminated in the quarterfinals by eventual world champions Germany, 1-0. Oldirch Nejedly is the Czechs' all-time World Cup goal-scorer with seven goals.