Přikryl calls for Czech focus

His side are the early Group A leaders yet Tomáš Přikryl is keen to emphasise that the Czech Republic's UEFA European Under-19 Championship campaign is still in its infancy.

The forward played a central role as the Czechs rallied from a goal down to overcome finals hosts Romania 3-1 in Chiajna, scoring the crucial equaliser on the stroke of half-time to set the stage for a second-half display that sealed the points for Jaroslav Hřebík's squad. Nonetheless, Přikryl is sure that plenty of hard work lies ahead.

"We played very well, it was hard for us," he told UEFA.com. "It's always difficult to play against the home team, especially in the first match. The spectators were so loud at the start of the game and it's very hard to play in that sort of atmosphere. We didn't feel any pressure though. We're very happy and it's a great start for our team."

Key to that positive opening was Přikryl's composed 44th-minute equaliser and he acknowledged it had been a pivotal moment. "When we went 1-0 down it made things much harder, so it was very important to score then, it helped us so much," the 19-year-old said. "I got in behind the defence and had only the goalkeeper to beat; I saw him move as if I was going to shoot, he went down and that's when I saw my moment to score. The goal lifted the team to another level, mentally and physically."

The striker had already shown his eye for goal at club level in 2010/11, netting three times for SK Sigma Olomouc in the final two months of the season, although he recognises the need for further improvement. "Sigma have been one of the best Czech clubs for a long time and it's really pleasing to have the chance to play in the first team alongside great players and under great coaches. The club are very strong and it's an honour to play for them. My initial ambition is to be one of the cornerstones of the first team. I need two things to make that happen: work and trust. Practise every day, and trust in my potential and that it will be realised."

Of more immediate concern is the Czechs' next contest, against fellow Matchday 1 victors the Republic of Ireland. Přikryl believes Saturday's encounter will be critical for at least one of the sides. "Ireland will be very tough. With both teams having won their first match, it could be the decisive game in the group," he explained. "The winners will probably get to the semi-final, so that should make it interesting. Maybe both sides will be a bit more cautious but generally it won't change much."

His mention of the semi-finals indicates just how far Czech ambitions stretch, yet Přikryl is quick to stress that his squad's focus is very much short-term. "We don't want to think about the semi-finals, it's very dangerous. We just try to work each day and go match to match; we can't think about getting through yet. Our goal is always just the next game."