The Czechs could have gone ahead in the fourth minute when a cross found right back Pavel Kaderabek unmarked inside the six-yard box but it was at waist height and he only managed to put the ball over the bar with his thigh.
Paddy McNair had a shot from outside the box for Northern Ireland, who reached the last 16 at Euro 2016 in France before being eliminated by Wales, after nearly half an hour but it was just held by goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik.
The home side had the lion’s share of half chances in a frantic second half with Michael McGovern’s saves and fine defending by Jonny Evans keeping them out while the Irish always posed a danger on the break.
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A share of the points left world champions Germany top of the group after a 3-0 win in Norway and Azerbaijan second following their 1-0 win in San Marino.
(Writing by Rex Gowar; editing by Brian Homewood)
