PORTO, June 22: Dick Advocaat puts his job on the line when his under-achieving Netherlands team meet Euro 2004 surprise package Latvia in their final Group 'D' match in Braga on Wednesday.
Both teams need to win to go through to the quarterfinals and hope that three-time champions Germany do not beat the already qualified Czech Republic, the only team with maximum points in the tournament.
Advocaat's team were unimpressive despite coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Germany in their first game and a controversial substitution handed the Czechs, then 2-1 down, a lifeline from which they built a 3-2 victory on Saturday.
The Dutch coach has a contract with the national team until the 2006 World Cup in Germany but there is a clause for a review after Euro 2004 which his side will depart on Wednesday night if the Latvians spring another surprise.
"It wasn't the substitution that turned the match, individual errors led to the Czech goals," Advocaat said, defending his decision to take off Arjen Robben for the more defensive Paul Bosvelt.
Advocaat is expected to start with the same team that lost to the Czechs apart from suspended defender Johnny Heitinga, who was sent off in the match in Aveiro. Michael Reiziger will probably take his place.
Latvia are equal on points with the Dutch, having led the Czechs before losing narrowly 2-1 and then holding Germany 0-0, their biggest footballing achievement to date.
Progressing with each match, Latvia believe in their chances of an even greater upset, a victory which would take them into the quarterfinals of their first major tournament.
"If the first dream of reaching the finals came true why shouldn't a second dream come true," said their impressive striker Maris Verpakovskis, who almost scored against Germany and might have had a penalty.
GERMANY v CZECH REPUBLIC
LISBON: Germany will hope to draw inspiration from their last major triumph when they take on the Czech Republic in their must-win match. Eight years ago they beat the Czechs 2-1 with a 'golden goal' at Wembley to win Euro 96.
After two undistinguished draws in Portugal they need a repeat of that performance to avoid going home from Euro 2004 after the group phase, a fate they suffered four years ago.
It will be a formidable task, however, even if the Czechs, who have already claimed a quarterfinal spot with wins over Latvia and the Netherlands, field a weakened team.Germany's players have shown no fear of failure in the build-up to the match, remaining cool, calm and collected as they set about joining the Czechs in the last eight.
Experienced midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who suffered the bitter disappointment of four years ago when Germany lost to England and Portugal and drew with Romania, is certain there will not be a similar failure.
In addition to Paul Nedved, Jan Koller, Karel Poborsky and Tomas Rosicky are all expected to be rested while Tomas Galasek, who is carrying a yellow card, will also be left out as the Czech's wily coach Karel Brueckner plans for the quarterfinals.
Voeller, who used two strikers in the dismal 0-0 draw with Latvia, is expected to revert to a more compact system with only one striker, as used against the Netherlands. That may mean that Bernd Schneider, who looked lost against Latvia, will be replaced by 19-year-old Bastian Schweinsteiger. -Reuters
