Olomouc
Goal: 14. Vepřek
Yellow cards: 73. Plšek, 78. Zmrzlý - 42. Potočný, 48. Breite, 62. Karafiát
Referees: Denev – Blažej, Koval.
Commentary
Slovan started the match in white jerseys, and in the fifth minute, Potočný won the first corner kick. After three headers, the home defence managed to clear it. Crossed by Mikula from the right wing, Breite was able to finish the ball off the post, but unfortunately he sent the ball with his head outside the bar. After that, Chytil drove hard to the goal and crashed into Nguyen. Luckily, the Liberec number one was able to continue after some treatment. After 14 minutes, Chytil came in from the penalty spot, sending the ball to the back of the box, but Michal Vepřek was able to finish the shot.
Our captain had another chance in the 20th minute, but this time he could not score a goal. Musa almost scored after getting around a defending player and finishing in front of Mandous, but the Olomouc keeper recovered in time and intervened. On the following corner, the ball bounced dangerously in front but none of the players in white could react quickly. Zmrzlý from Olomouc tried to finish after a bouncing ball from a standard situation, but Mikula stepped in front and it didn’t get through to Nguyen. Musa was unable to solve the subsequent breakdown, and Mandous covered his low attempt.
In the second half, Slovan were still behind by one. In the 55th minute, Houska sent a long-range shot that just missed the goal. Four minutes later, Musa had another dangerous chance, but this time Mandouse stopped it and Vepřek cleared it out of harm’s way. Over time, Slovan picked up the intensity, but most of their rushes ended before they reached the penalty area. There were also a few yellow cards, and we witnessed hard battles from both sides. In the 81st minute, Kuchta was substituted to help the offensive efforts of Slovan.
With 83 minutes played, Breite had a fantastic opportunity to reply but his shot flew harmlessly into the side-netting of the goal. At the other end of the pitch, Olomouc went in 5-on-3, with González heading through with Nguyen ready. In the 89th minute, González got the ball right in front of the Liberec goal but Nguyen readily responded and knocked his shot to the corner. Slovan didn’t get any further chances and had to accept a 1-0 defeat.
