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Koller quits Czech squad

By Richard Bailey

Monday 7 September 2009 11:35, UK

Image: Koller: International retirement

Jan Koller has retired from international football once more, saying it was a mistake to return.

Giant striker calls it a day for second time after failed comeback

Jan Koller has retired from international football for a second time and confessed it had been a mistake to return. The giant striker was asked back by Czech Republic manager Ivan Hasek in a bid to boost their floundering World Cup qualification campaign. The Czech team lies fifth in Group 3, seven points behind Slovakia in top spot with just three games remaining. Koller started against the group leaders in Bratislava at the weekend but was substituted after just 55 minutes with the scores at 0-0. The Czech's record goalscorer, who has 55 goals in 91 internationals, saw his replacement Milan Baros snatch an equaliser six minutes from time to keep the visitors' faint qualification hopes alive. "Nobody will persuade me again," the 36-year-old Koller stated. "I would only be in the way. It was a mistake to come back against Slovakia." The former Dortmund frontman will now not play against minnows San Marino on Wednesday but Arsenal's Tomas Rosicky could return. The midfielder has been out since January 2008 with a number of hamstring problems but was in the stands to witness the Slovakia draw.

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