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PRAGUE (Reuters): The Czech Republic ensured their survival in Nations League B Group 1 on Monday with a 1-0 win over Slovakia thanks to a first-half Patrik Schick goal that relegated the visitors.
Ukraine had already won promotion and finished top with nine points ahead of the Czechs on six and Slovakia with three.
The Czechs had only needed a draw on Monday to guarantee staying in the section but looked in for a tough night with Slovakia pressing early on and home keeper Tomas Vaclik just tipping Marek Hamsik’s drive over the bar in the 15th minute.
The victory also marked a resurgence under Czech manager Jaroslav Silhavy, who replaced Karel Jarolim following a 5-1 defeat by Russia in a friendly in September.
In October, a late header by Schick gave the Czechs a 2-1 win over Slovakia to earn them their first points in the Nations League in between two defeats by group winners Ukraine.
