Three goals in five days for the Czech Republic striker Jan Koller, has enabled him to to break Pavel Kuka’s record as his country’s leading scorer with 23 goals.

It has taken just 40 games for Koller to achieve this total. After the thrashing of Austria, Koller refused to get carried away bu his achievement

“I was only doing my job, nothing more,” said Koller afterwards.

“I do not know if I am in the form of my life. I feel in good shape and the goals are simply coming by themselves. I had luck with second goal when the ball bounced off the bar and into

Last night’s record was was the culmination of several years of hard work for the 30-year-old striker. At 23 he was discared by Sparta Prague, joining Belgian side Sporting Lokeren. Success there earned him a move to Anderlecht, where he earned his first cap for his country against Belgium.

His exploits in Belgium did not go unnoticed and amove to the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund was Koller’s reward for finishing the 2000 season as the Belgian league’s leading scorer.

Czech coach Karel Brckner believes that Koller will continue to improve.

“I think we have not exploited all his abilities yet, particularly his heading, which is outstanding,” he said.

“He is unstoppable when he meets the perfect cross.”