Czech Republic round-up: Sparta surge on
Monday, October 28, 2002
Article summary
AC Sparta Praha maintained their unbeaten start to the season as FC Slovan Liberec were thrashed.
Article body
AC Sparta Praha maintained their unbeaten start to the Czech first division season on Saturday with a 2-0 win at FK Jablonec 97 which increased their lead to five points.
Happy return
Defeat at Jablonec last April saw Jaroslav Hrebík dismissed as Sparta coach, but successor Jozef Jarabinský had no such worries as Josef Obajdin put the visitors ahead on 26 minutes. Michal Pospísil scored the second following a fine pass from Karel Poborský in the 34th minute. Both goalscorers were substituted, as Jarabinský could afford to look ahead to Thursday's UEFA Cup second-round match at home to Denizlispor.
Slovan fall
In Saturday's other game, champions FC Slovan Liberec were beaten 4-0 by FK Viktoria Zizkov, who warmed up in style for Tuesday's UEFA Cup visit of Real Betis Balompié. Jirí Sabou opened the scoring 15 minutes into the game, and Michal Scasny, Roman Janousek and captain Ales Pikl added goals after the break to inflict Slovan's worst defeat since November 1998. Pikl's goal, a penalty, took him to the top of the scoring charts with seven.
Dostálek double
SK Slavia Praha took full advantage on Sunday to move into second place with a 2-0 win against 1. FC Brno, Richard Dostálek returning to haunt his former club with both goals. The defeated visitors also had defender Ales Schuster sent off in the final minute
No joy for Hradec
SK Hradec Králové's six-month winless spell continued as they were held at home by 1. FC Synot, the last side they defeated in April. Pavel Krmas put Hradec ahead in the first half, but Jirí Kowalík's penalty levelled the scores after the break to leave the home team bottom with seven draws and four defeats.
Teplice win
Elsewhere on Sunday, SK Ceské Budéjovice beat fellow promoted side FC Zlín 2-1 away from home thanks to a Jaroslav Chlebek goal two minutes from full time, while FC Baník Ostrava secured a 1-0 win at FK Chmel Blšany. In-form FK Teplice moved up to fifth with a 1-0 triumph at SK Sigma Olomouc to make it five victories in six games under new coach Frantisek Straka.
Príbram goals
FC Príbram only had six goals in ten games going into Monday's fixture at home to CU Bohemians Praha, but they increased that total to ten with a 4-1 victory in a game where both sides had a player sent off.
