Plasil on Czech Republic's World Cup hopes from the US
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
Former AS Monaco midfielder Jaroslav Plasil, now assistant coach of the Czech Republic, previews Friday's opening World Cup match against South Korea.
Jaroslav Plasil spent seven years in the red and white of AS Monaco between 2000 and 2007, and the Czech midfielder's connection to the Principality remains strong. Now serving as assistant to head coach Miroslav Koubek with the Czech national side, Plasil is preparing for his country's first World Cup appearance since 2006 - a tournament they enter with considerable expectation given the length of that absence.
Speaking from the United States ahead of Friday's Group Stage opener against South Korea, which kicks off at 4am Monaco time, Plasil was bullish about his squad's potential. He described the group as exceptional, a pointed choice of words for a side that has had to rebuild across two decades without reaching football's biggest stage.
For Monaco supporters with long memories, Plasil's prominence at this tournament adds a familiar face to what is shaping up as a compelling Czech campaign. His playing years at the club covered some of its most competitive European seasons, and his evolution into international coaching represents one of the more interesting second acts among former Stade Louis II regulars.