Petr Cech retires for Czech Republic

Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech says he is retiring from international football.

The 34-year-old Cech announced his decision on Friday, saying he wants to fully focus on his Arsenal club.

From his Czech debut in 2002, a 2-0 victory over Hungary, Cech became a mainstay in the team, and making a record 124 appearances.

Cech says, “It’s final.”

His last match in the national jersey was a 2-0 loss to Turkey in the final group-stage game at the European Championship in France on June 21.

The highlight of his international career came at Euro 2004, when the Czechs reached the semifinals. He helped the team qualify for every continental championship since, and played in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.