Czech Republic round-up: Slovan throw it away
Monday, September 16, 2002
Article summary
Champions FC Slovan Liberec failed to take advantage of a slip by leaders AC Sparta Praha.
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Missed opportunity
The defending champions were 3-0 up after only 20 minutes courtesy of goals from Baffour Gyan, Martin Zboncák and Jan Polák. But the home side responded with first-half strikes from Jirí Novák and Jozef Weber, before the latter equalised in the last minute.
Sparta slip
Sparta needed a late Jirí Jarosík goal to save their unbeaten record in a 1-1 home draw with FK Chmel Blšany on Saturday. Tomás Pesír had earlier stunned the hosts at the Letná stadium as Sparta failed to make it six wins from six games but still remain two points clear at the top.
Dostálek treble
Meanwhile, ten-man SK Slavia Praha won 3-1 at SK Ceské Budéjovice thanks to a hat-trick from Richard Dostálek. The captain was the hero with a second-half treble after Karel Piták had been sent off on 25 minutes for a foul on Ivo Svoboda. Dostálek opened the scoring with a free-kick, added a second with a long-range shot before capping a fine display following a one-two with Tomás Došek. Despite their numerical advantage, Ceské managed only a consolation goal from Martin Vozábal. The victory lifted Slavia into third place.
Teplice triumph
FK Teplice came from behind to win 2-1 against FK Viktoria Zizkov in coach Frantisek Straka's first match in charge. Zimbabwean forward Kenny Chihuri gave the visitors the lead close to the break. But after Zizkov had lost Maros Klimpl and Jirí Sabou to red cards, the hosts snatched the points thanks to strikes from Michal Kolomazník and Ludek Zelenka.
Bohemian rhapsody
CU Bohemians Praha claimed their first victory of the season as Slovakian midfield player Karol Kisel and Lukás Hartig hit the target in a 2-1 success against FC Baník Ostrava. Bohemians had captain Michal Petrous dismissed 15 minutes from time, but held out to climb off the bottom of the table.
Still to win
SK Hradec Králové and FC Zlín are the only teams without a win after six games. Fabio Gomes's double for FC Príbram condemned newly promoted Zlín to a 2-1 defeat and bottom place. SK Hradec Králové led at SK Sigma Olomouc through Jan Kraus, but were pegged back to 1-1 by a Radim Kucera goal after Tomás Bouska had been sent off. 1. FC Synot won a thriller against 1. FC Brno 3-2 with Jirí Kowalík netting twice for the hosts.
