Czech Republic round-up: Top three all win
Monday, November 4, 2002
Article summary
AC Sparta Praha maintained their five-point cushion in 1. liga as the leading trio earned easy victories.
Article body
AC Sparta Praha maintained their five-point cushion in 1. liga as the leading trio earned easy victories today.
Successful comeback
Sparta's invicibility was not in danger in their Monday derby against CU Bohemians Praha. Miroslav Baranek, back in the lineup after a knee injury, lobbed over goalkeeper Peter Holec to open the scoring in the fourth minute. Lukás Hartig then hit the crossbar for Bohemians before Karel Poborský and Michal Pospísíl sealed the home side's victory after the break.
Late penalty
Also on Monday, SK Slavia Praha defeated FK Chmel Blšany 2-0 with a goal at the start and end of their match. Defender Tomás Hrdlicka crowned his return after injury with the first and Stepan Vachousek added the second from penalty in dying moments. Finally today, FC Slovan Liberec claimed all three points with a 2-0 victory against newcomers FC Zlín. After Gyan Baffour's goal, Ivan Hodúr sealed the victory from penalty spot in injury time.
Dosek hat-trick
The weekend action started with FK Viktoria Zizkov going down 4-0 at the hands of FC Brno on Saturday. Libor Dosek was the main architect the home side's success, with his hat-trick taking his season's tally to eight goals.
Zoubek off
On Sunday, SK Hradec Králové remained stuck to the bottom as the only side without win. They were always in trouble at FC Baník Ostrava conceding two goals within the opening 17 minutes. After David Zoubek's dismissal, the home side then took advantage of the extra man to finish up with a 4-0 victory.
Straka's winning run
Also yesterday, FK Teplice continued their winning streak and climbed into fourth spot. They demolished FK Jablonec 3-0 to earn their sixth win from seven games since Frantisek Straka took over as coach. Things are not so good for FC Príbram who lost 1-0 at 1. FC Synot, after a Michal Meduna winner.
Fruitless return
The newcomers from SK Ceské Budejovice won their third game in row to spoil Jirí Kotrba's debut as coach of SK Sigma Olomouc. The coach, who replaced Bohumil Páník on Thursday, began his new spell at the stadium, where he started his career. However, he was to be disappointed as his new charges went down 3-1 after an inspirational display from Lumír Sedlácek.
