Ashley Cole defends West Ham star Vladimir Coufal after Denmark score v Czech Republic
Ashley Cole refused to pile in on West Ham star Vladimir Coufal after a goal conceded by the Czech Republic on Saturday evening.
Coufal and West Ham teammate Tomas Soucek were in action as they aimed to progress into the semi-final of Euro 2020.
However, they headed into half-time of their quarter-final with Denmark 2-0 down after goals from Thomas Delaney and Kasper Dolberg.
Dolberg’s goal came down the Czech Republic’s right-hand side and ITV presenter Mark Pougatch questioned Coufal for the role he played in allowing Joakim Maehle to cross the ball.
Pougatch pondered: “Why would Coufal get sucked in like that as a full-back?”
Former England international Cole responded: “I think it’s great movement, he [Maehle] wants that space in behind so he’s given that position where he comes to receive the ball and creates that space in behind.
“As a full-back sometimes you get tight to try and win the ball but I think it’s great movement, great timing and weight of the pass and the cross is unbelievable.”
Tough match-up
Maehle has been mooted in many quarters as one of the best full-backs of the tournament so far, so there was no great shame in the Atalanta defender getting the better of Coufal for the goal.
As Cole alluded to, it was a brilliant bit of movement that took him away from the Irons defender before he produced a sensational outside of the foot cross for Dolberg to fire home Denmark’s second goal of the game.
Pougatch was keen to hone in on what Coufal did wrong, with a tone of disdain in his voice.
However, ex-Chelsea defender Cole appeared to defend him somewhat.
Denmark were the dominant side in the first half as they lived up to their early billing as favourites to progress into the semi-final, and they made several attempts to overload the Czech Republic’s right-hand side.
That made for a difficult start to proceedings for Coufal but he reacted superbly in the second-half providing the assist for Patrik Schick’s goal in the 49th minute.
In other West Ham news, Trevor Sinclair fears fan mayhem over GSB amid Irons star dispute.
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