Czech Republic coach Santi Denia keeps large part of World Cup squad for Nations League games

PRAGUE (AP) — Newly appointed Czech Republic coach Santi Denia included three newcomers in his first squad to face Croatia, England and World Cup champion Spain in the Nations League.

The Spaniard was appointed on July 31 as the first foreign coach in the post after the team’s early exit from the World Cup.

Denia included 15 players from the squad that went to the World Cup, where the Czechs lost to South Korea and Mexico and drew with South Africa. The Czechs finished on the bottom of Group A with one point.

Midfielders Lukáš Ambros of Anderlecht, Roman Macek of Sparta Prague and Matěj Radosta of Teplice are the three newcomers.

Only three forwards are on the team after Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick announced his retirement from international soccer, just hours after the World Cup’s elimination.

Injured West Ham midfielder Tomáš Souček is not available but forwards Pavel Šulc of Lyon and Adam Hložek of Hoffenheim are on the team as well goalkeepers Lukáš Horníček of Newcastle and Antonín Kinský of Tottenham.

The Czechs open the competition by hosting Croatia on Sept. 26 and England three days later in Prague. An Oct 3 game against Spain in Oviedo and against England at Webley Stadium on Oct 6 will follow.

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