This time, Hradec Králové’s footballers did not mature against Slavia Prague. In the last round of the regular season, they fell in front of a sold-out stadium with the favorite 1:2. Lukáš Provod and Ondřej Zmrzlý scored for the visitors at the end of the first half. Karel Spáčil moderated the defeat in the set time. The people of Prague are still in the fight for the title, losing four points to Sparta before the start of the extension. Votroks will play in the middle group. Their semi-final match will be Sigma Olomouc.
The atmosphere during the 30th round of FORTUNA:LIGA between Hradec Králové and Slavia Praha. The duel was watched by 9,300 spectators.
| Video: Diary/Vladimir Machek
The East Bohemians entered an attractive duel against Slavia with two changes in the starting eleven. One was forced, the carded Vašulín was replaced at the point by Hais, and instead of the more offensive Krejčí, Horák started for the first time after an injury in the base.
“Váša (Daniel Vašulín) was probably missing, but we bet on a typologically similar player, Hais started after a long time, he faced Ogbua, he was famous, that’s why it was difficult for him,” said Hradec Hradec coach David Horejš.
Slavia shuffled the lineup a bit more due to disappointing results. Vlček and Zmrzlý returned to the defense. Holeš returned to the position of defensive midfielder, and the trident Schranz, Douděra, Provod took up the offensive positions in the midfield.
Despite the fact that both teams had different forms in recent weeks, the visitors were clearly the favorites. And in front of the sold-out Malšovica Arena, they could have taken the lead in the 3rd minute. He got caught in the goal and made his way to the ball through Kodeš, but his shot from the penalty spot was neutralized by Zadražil with a luxurious save.
Then for a long time we could see balanced football with a minimum of chances, Votroci played exactly what they needed and did not let Slavia into a direct threat to their goal. Unfortunately for them, they could not manage the end of the first half. In the 43rd minute, they claimed a foul on Čmelík, but referee Černý let the fight go and ended Zadražil’s bulletproof streak, which lasted 366 minutes, from behind the goal, Provod – 0:1. A few moments later, the people of Prague rejoiced for the second time. Holeš sent an accurate ball into the goal, Zmrzlý broke away from Harazim at the back post and made it 0:2.
“At halftime, we tried to encourage the boys to turn the game around, because of the people, the atmosphere was fantastic,” Horejš described.
After the change of sides, there were not many chances to see. Hradec was active, but the Sešívans kept their two-goal advantage clear. And it was they who threatened the game after an hour. Provod sent a ground kick for Mrzlý into the box, but the ball did not hit.
SOLID FINISH
Hradec could have dramatized the match in its conclusion. Eight minutes before the end, substitute Koubek got a beautiful arc into the box, but Staněk picked it up in the small box in a 100% chance. A few moments later, the visiting goalkeeper failed to stop a bouncing shot, the ball went right to Pilar’s leg, but the home side’s frolic failed to hit the goal. Defender Spáčil brought at least a little joy to the East Bohemian fans in the set time. He leaned on a bouncy ball just behind the goal and reduced the loss to 1:2 with a beautiful shot to the post.
“The second half was better, we were more precise in the combination. Unfortunately, the reduction came late, if we had scored in the 80th minute, when Koubek and Pilař had a chance, it would have been even more interesting. Slavia punished our mistakes, that’s why they won. I have to praise the spectators and the players for today’s match,” said Horejš.
His charges finished the regular part of the competition in the middle group in ninth place. Their opponent in the semifinals of the superstructure will be Olomouc. The first match will be played the following weekend in eastern Bohemia. The rematch will be scheduled for a week later.
“There’s no point in talking about wanting Europe, now we want to win Sunday’s game, that’s the goal and we’ll see what opportunities it gives us, we have to regenerate, a lot of players have minor injuries – Krejčí, Šašinka,” concluded the coach from Hradec Králové.
Hradec Králové – Slavia Prague 1:2
Facts – goals: 90+1. Slept – 41. Parade, 43. Frozen. Referee: Černý – Paták, Machač – Klíma (video). ŽK: Kučera – Douděra. Spectators: 9300 (sold out). Half time: 0:2.
FC Hradec Králové: Zadražil – Klíma, Kodeš, Spáčil – Harazim, Kučera, Dancák (79. Pudhorocký), Horák – Čmelík (57. Juliš), Pilař (83. Kaštánek) – Hais (57. Koubek). Coach: Come on.
SK Slavia Prague: Staněk – Zmrzlý (79. Wallem), Holeš, Ogbu, Vlček – Ševčík (71. Zafeiris), Oscar – Douděra (87. Tomič), Provod, Schranz (71. Masopust) – Chytil (71. Van Buren). Coach: Trpišovský.
