Who are the Czech Republic and Hungary's star players?

The Caltex Socceroos have confirmed fixtures against the Czech Republic and Hungary in June ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. 

We take a closer look at the star players for each of these nations.

Caltex Socceroos lock in pre-FIFA World Cup plans

History against Hungary and the Czech Republic

CZECH REPUBLIC

Vladimir Darida

The Hertha Berlin midfielder, who's teammates with Mathew Leckie, was recently named 2017 Czech Republic footballer of the year, finishing ahead of national legend goalkeeper Petr Cech in the voting.

A regular in the national team since 2013, the combative Darida has played 48 matches for his country, scoring four goals.

darida

 

Tomas Kalas

The imposing centre-back inked a new four-year deal with defending Premier League champions Chelsea last year, where he has spent seven years, but played just two first-team games.

The 24-year-old has spent this season (as well as 2016/17) on loan at Championship club Fulham, playing a massive part in their drive to return to the English top flight.

kalas

 

Michael Krmencik

The 25-year old recently caught the eye of Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez who tried unsuccessfully to bring the striker to Tyneside during the January transfer window.

Instead, he has stayed at Viktoria Plzen where he has scored 12 times in 18 league matches this season, as well as netting four goals in the national side's unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign.

krme

 

HUNGARY

Balazs Dzsudzsak

In a 12-year professional career, the current national captain has played for PSV Eindhoven, Dynamo Moscow and Bursaspor before a move to the UAE club Al Wahda two years ago.

He has appeared over 90 times for the Hungarian national side and was a standout at Euro 2016 where his side defied expectations to top a tough group that included Portugal, Austria, and Iceland.

dzs

 

Ádám Szalai

A member of the national side since 2009, the 30-year old striker is approaching fifty caps for his country.

He has played the majority of his professional career in Germany where he currently plays for Hoffenheim, scoring three goals in 13 league appearances so far this season.

sza

 

Tamas Kadar

The Ukraine-based defender spent four years on the books of Newcastle United and was recently the target of his former manager Alan Pardew who wanted to bring him to struggling West Bromwich Albion.

The 28-year-old defender has been a national team regular since 2011.

kadar