Czech boss Koubek blames travel fatigue and 'stupid mistakes' for World Cup exit

[p]Koubek said Czech ‌football urgently needed to raise its ‌technical standards to compete internationally following their return to the World Cup after ‌a 20-year absence.[/p][p]He defended ⁠dropping striker [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/schick-patrik/WzQQSSfc/"]‌Patrik Schick[/a], saying [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/hlozek-adam/2FUsDXpd/"]Adam Hlozek[/a] was preferred for ​his physical condition and suitability to the team's offensive strategy.[/p][p][b]Koubek said heavy travel between venues, including flights ‌to Mexico City, left players exhausted, questioning why Mexico were not required to travel to Dallas.[/b][/p][embed guid="8ec7235f-09cf-4db7-b318-e6bacd9bc7cc" url="https://x.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/2069979141752168836" social-type="twitter" /][p]Midfielder [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/visinsky-denis/Mcjm4kMm/"]Denis Visinsky[/a] was heavily affected by the high altitude in Mexico City, Koubek added, while many players arrived already fatigued from their club seasons.[/p][p][b]"I have ‌a contract and I don't give ​up any fights... I will definitely ‌fulfil my contract,"[/b] Koubek said when asked about his future.[/p][p][b]"Czech football has been lagging behind, we need to improve our play... select players ⁠who can compete ⁠at this ‌level,"[/b] he said.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/czech-republic-6LHwBDGU/mexico-O6iHcNkd/?mid=GCoIA5bf"]Catch up on the match here.[/a][/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /]