Dolnoslaski leave it late

Poland's Dolnoslaski AMA are one point away from the UEFA Regions' Cup final after an 87th-minute winner against Switzerland's Ticino AMA.

Dramatic end
Both these sides had won their first Group B games so knew another victory would leave them in a strong position to progress. And although Ticino scored first through Gabriele Cesni, Jarosław Gad swiftly equalised and with time running out Szymon Jaskulowski ensured Dolnoslaski opened up a three-point gap over Ticino and Aveiro AMA.

Dolnoslaski on top
It was a low-key start in Rakovski but as the first half wore on Dolnoslaski started to get a grip on the game. Michał Sudoł twice forced Ticino goalkeeper Michel Maconi into saves as the interval approached. Janusz Kudyba’s side continued to press after the break, while Ticino were content to wait for counterattacks. At this point Kudyba sent on Gad and Arkadiusz Polchlopek, which was later to prove a masterstroke.

Swift response
However, it did not seem that way when Ticino out of nowhere took the lead on 65 minutes. A Rossini cross from the left was not cleared and on the opposite wing Gabriele Cesni delivered a centre which goalkeeper Krzysztof Czerniak helped into his own net. But Dolnoslaski replied within three minutes, Polchlopek combining well with Gad, who turned in his low pass from the right.

Late winner
It seemed that the game was heading for a draw which would have kept Ticino top on goal difference, but there was some late drama. First Tomasz Jaworski was denied by a save from Marconi. And then, after Czerniak had made amends for his earlier slip with a fantastic stop from Patrick Rossini, Dolnoslaski broke and although the unmarked Jaskulowski saw his first effort blocked by Marconi, he made no mistake with the rebound from close range. Dolnoslaski need only now draw with Aveiro in Stara Zagora on Sunday to go through, but a defeat would give Ticino a chance if they beat eliminated Ivan Odessa AMA.