Bohemians suffered an expected, but respectable loss against the perennial Czech football powerhouse, Sparta Praha. The only victory Bohemka achieved was in the stands, Bohemians fans were noisier, more inventive, and simply better than Sparta’s fans. Bohemians played a perfect defensive game for half an hour. Then the indecisive goalie Sňozík lost his duel with one of the Sparta forwards and a debutant in Sparta uniform, 18-year old Zeman, who did not have to break a sweat to score his first first-division goal, returning a rebound into an empty net. Given the goal scoring difficulties of Bohemians, the game was for all practical purposes at this point over. Sparta gained more confidence after scoring a leading goal and continued attacking with gusto.
Sparta even intensified its pressure in the second half. The second goal was scored by Horváth on a questionable penalty kick call for tripping Došek by Sňozík. The third goal was headed in the net by Došek after a corner kick that was supposed to be a goal kick. Substituting Ordoš managed only to make the defeat look more respectable on the only shot (header) on the net that Bohemians had produced.
Bohemians have more than a few things to worry about heading into the stretch. Their number one goalie, Sňozík, has not been reliable lately at all and his fumbling ways make the whole team nervous. As if this was not enough, veteran players (Slezák, Nikl) have not been pulling their weight. Or perhaps, they are not capable of producing more than they have. Consequently, the burden of responsibility lies on youngsters that are not experienced enough to handle it well. It’s ironical that 18-year old Morávek (called up from the Bohemians youth team) was the best Bohemians player during this game. However, it would be unfair to expect miracles from him.
The day of reckoning is near. Bohemians will face Zlín in Ďolíček on Sunday, November 25. The game starts at 1:30 pm. If Bohemians are serious about their survival in the first division, all three points must remain in Ďolíček.
Event: The Czech First Division - Gambrinus League, 2007-2008 Season, 13th Round
Date and Time: November 12, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Stadium: Axa Arena (Sparta)
Attendance: 8433 (the game was televised nationally)
Goals: 30. Zeman, 54. Horváth (penalty), 70. Došek - 80. Ordoš
Yellow Cards: Moravec, Kunášek (both Bohemians 1905)
Red Cards: None
Referees: Matějek - Zlámal, Slavík
AC Sparta Praha: Grigar - Pospěch, Řepka, Kadlec, Limberský - Kisel, Horváth (83. Sylvestre), Kladrubský, Zeman (58. Matušovič) - Došek (73. Slepička), Kulič
Bohemians 1905: Sňozík - Lukáš, Marek, Rada, Kunášek - Moravec (63. Kotyza), Morávek (80. Adam), Nikl, Hašek, Bartek - Slezák (55. Ordoš)
