Is the glass half full or half empty? Did Bohemka gain one point or lose two points? That’s the way many Bohemka fans look at the result of the match between Bulldogs from Karlovy Vary/Dvory and their Kangaroos. The consensus seems to be emerging that Bohemka lost two important points that will be missed in the final tally. Under normal circumstances, tying Karlovy Vary/Dvory on their home field would be a success. However, considering that the leading team of the third League, Prachatice, lost at home to Střížkov, Bohemka lost a golden opportunity to close the gap on Prachatice.
Bohemka fielded the usual line-up with one exception - captain Freisler, who fell ill before the game, was replaced by youngster Pávek. Pávek rewarded coach Busta’s confidence in him by faultless performance. The elderly statesman Slezák took over Freisler’s captain duties.
The first half of the game was choppy; there was very little football beauty to see. It probably did not help matters that the game was played on an artificial turf in a steady, soaking rain. The important moment happened a few minutes before the half time. Bohemka’s left back Buldra missed the ball after a corner kick and Kura headed it easily in to the net - 1:0 for the home team.
Coach Busta did not waste any time yanking Buldra off and replacing him with left-footed Knap. Knap grabbed the opportunity to show off his stuff. His trips forward and his hard shots meant a constant danger for the home goalie.
Bohemka also scored after a corner kick when Slezák managed somehow to push the ball over the goal line. Kangaroos created still more chances but none of them lead to the winning goal. Ironically, it was Bohemka goalkeeper, Zahálka, who had to show his top skills to keep the score even on a superbly executed free kick by Kostečka.
Bohemka is supposed to play a repeat game in Náchod this Wednesday, but indications are that the match might be postponed due to a very soggy field.
Event: The Czech Third League, 2005/2006 Season, 20th Round
Date and Time: 10:30 a.m. on March 26, 2006
Stadium: Drahovice (artificial turf)
Attendance: 1117
Goals: 42. Kura - 52. Slezák
Yellow Cards: Psohlavec, Kura - Nešpor, Pávek, Rosický
Red Cards: None
Referees: Kocourek - Urban, Krauskopf
Karlovy Vary/Dvory: Krbeček - Čižnár, Tichota, Kura, Kothera - Vaněček, Hrubý, Kostečka (88. Janáček), Oslovič - Bittengel (71. Ušák), Psohlavec
Bohemians 1905: Zahálka - Nešpor, Lukáš, Pávek, Buldra (46. Knapp) - Kotyza, Dian, Rosický, Vágner - Strnad (62. Kulvajt), Slezák
