India, Dec. 20 -- Veteran coach Miroslav Koubek is taking over the Czech national team for the final stage of World Cup qualifying, the country's soccer association said Friday. The 74-year-old Koubek replaces Ivan Hasek, who was fired in October after a humiliating 2-1 loss to Faeroe Islands in World Cup qualifying. Hasek's assistant Jaroslav Kostl had served as interim coach in a 1-0 win over San Marino in a friendly and a

6-0 victory against Gibraltar in their final World Cup qualifier. Czech Football Association President David Trunda said Koubek was given a contract for two and a half years. His immediate and tricky task will be the European qualifying playoffs in March.

The Czechs qualified for the playoffs after finishing runner-...