Czech football is in a critical position as it awaits the decision on whether the national team will qualify for the World Cup this summer. As coach Miroslav Koubek gears up for his debut match against Ireland, he faces the challenge of leading a team in a state of flux. Recently, he felt the strain of injury concerns, notably with midfielder Pavel Šulc, who sustained a muscle injury during a match and is uncertain about his return. Koubek's situation is further complicated as he analyzes the team's strengths and potential draw from other athletes' experiences and successes.