Most Czechs believe team will advance from group

PRAGUE, June 5 (Reuters) Czech Republic will advance to the second round of the World Cup and striker Milan Baros will score their first goal, according to a poll released today.

The poll by the private Factum Invenio agency showed 61 per cent of Czechs believe the team, led by former European Footballer of the Year Pavel Nedved, will qualify for the knockout stage.

Only 14 per cent expect an early exit against Group E rivals United States, Ghana and Italy.

The poll also showed, by a three-to-one margin, more Czechs would watch World Cup matches on television than political debates among their main party leaders after a weekend election ended in a draw.

REUTERS AY KN1920