• Czechia beat Denmark on penalties to qualify for the World Cup
• Tomas Soucek scored his spot-kick in the shootout
• Czechia beat the Republic of Ireland to face Denmark

West Ham United will have a number of players in the World Cup this summer. Someone who joined that list this week, is Tomas Soucek. The long-serving midfielder and his Czechia side had to do it the hard way but will now be at a World Cup for the first time in 20 years.

Soucek’s nation had go through the playoffs to get their ticket. In the first round the side came from 2-0 down to beat the Republic of Ireland of penalties. In the final came Denmark and teammate Mads Hermansen. The game would again go the distance but it was Czechia who would prevail and find their position at this summer’s tournament.

The West Ham stalwart told the club’s official website it was a dream come true.

“I’m so happy that we as the Czech Republic qualified for the World Cup after 20 years!” Soucek beamed. “We waited so long for the opportunity.

“Against two top teams, Ireland and Denmark, it was really tough. We played...