Bruckner immediately looks ahead

Bruckner offered few excuses for his side's poor performance

Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner quickly looked ahead to his side's crucial match against Italy following their shock 2-0 defeat to Ghana.

Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari strikes capped a dominant display from Ghana, in which the Czechs failed to impress.

It means they must get something from their last game to stand a chance of qualifying for the second round.

And the 66-year-old said: "Everything will be decided in the last game. I have to do my job without feeling."

Following a superb performance in their victory over the USA, Bruckner's side could have all but guaranteed their passage into the next round with a win over Ghana.

But the African nation out-played their European counterparts for long periods after taking the lead after just 70 seconds, as the Czechs failed to get into their stride.

I don't blame the poor performance on absent morale or lack of effort Karel Bruckner

And Bruckner admitted Ghana's approach had curbed their desire to control the match.

"We were forced to play an open game, which suited them," he said.

The veteran also played down suggestions that the defeat could be blamed on their inability to cope with the humid conditions.

"I don't blame the poor performance on absent morale or lack of effort.

"I wouldn't say our players were tired, we couldn't use that as an excuse."

Meanwhile, Petr Cech, who made a string of saves to keep his side in the game until Muntari's late second, later admitted he tried to prevent the referee booking Gyan before the Modena striker's missed second-half penalty.

Gyan received a yellow card for taking the spot-kick early, but Cech revealed he had been fooled by a fan's whistle in the crowd.

"That's why he took the penalty because somebody blew the whistle," said the Chelsea keeper.

"He was not guilty of that (taking the penalty early)."

The yellow card means Gyan is ruled out of Ghana's next game against the USA.