Czechs hope to live up to high FIFA world ranking

PRAGUE, May 25 (Reuters) Ranked number two in the world by FIFA, the Czech Republic hope to go one better at the soccer World Cup finals in Germany.

The Czechs had failed to make the finals since the former Czechoslovakia qualified for Italy in 1990, and had to win a knockout playoff against Norway to book the final spot in this year's tournament.

This is expected to be the last kick at the cup for a mostly veteran squad led by some of Europe's top players, giving their countrymen reason to believe that the Euro 2004 semi-finalists will take their first World Cup title.

Coach Karel Brueckner has adopted a 4-4-2 formation, allowing the Czechs to play a more aggressive style and to dictate the flow of game.

''We're in a position where other teams will have to fear us, not the other way around,'' said striker Milan Baros.

Leading the way will be a midfield anchored by Tomas Rosicky, who has just signed for Arsenal for 8 million pounds, 2003 European Footballer of the Year Pavel Nedved, Karel Poborsky and Vladimir Smicer.

Rosicky, seen as a part of a new emerging Arsenal team after leaving Borussia Dortmund, is only 25, but the rest are well into their 30s and the World Cup represents their last realistic chance of an international success.

In reality that chance probably disappeared for them in Portugal two years ago, but they should still give a good account of themselves in Germany.

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