When the defender scored midway through the first half, it seemed his side could be in for a big win, but Cyprus held firm for the rest of the game - if never really managing to pose an attacking threat.

The hosts were always on top but struggled to create many clear-cut chances against some stout Cypriot defending.

With nearly 10 minutes on the clock, Marek Jankulovski had their first shot of note from a free-kick, after Marios Elia handballed 30 yards from goal, but his effort was parried by Antonis Georgallides in the Cyprus goal.

Shortly afterwards, the Czechs lost Zdenek Grygera to injury, to be replaced by Kovac, before another long-range free-kick from Jankulovski sailed over the bar.

Karel Bruckner`s men took the lead after 22 minutes following a corner from Tomas Rosicky.

His centre found Kovac and the substitute's header from the centre of the area went straight in although Jan Koller did his utmost to get an additional touch.

It was to be a brief, if productive, appearance for Kovac, who himself picked up a knock after 26 minutes and was replaced by Martin Jiranek.

The Czechs were reduced mainly to pot-shots for the rest of the half, with Jankulovski, Milan Baros and Tomas Galasek all firing over the bar.

On the stroke of half-time, Koller tested Georgallides, who produced a fantastic save when the Monaco man sent in an effort from 20 yards.

Cyprus almost managed to catch their hosts cold after the break, when Yiannakis Okkas shot from the edge of the box barely a minute into the second half, but Petr Cech held his effort.

Baros nodded crosses from Jan Polak and Jankulovski goalwards but was twice denied by Georgallides, while the 25-year-old stopper was also on hand to cut out a dangerous cross from Jan Polak.

At the other end, Stathis Aloneftis fired wide from 12 yards, while Okkas sent one over the bar from a similar position.

But neither side looked like altering the 1-0 scoreline and Czech Republic held on for three points.