1. FK Svidník lost 2-0 to FK Sobrance-Sobranecko in the 6th round of the Slovak 3. Liga - East

Sunday, the 30th of August 2020, 4 pm local time (2 pm UTC), Mestský futbalový štadion, Svidník, Slovakia, the 6th round of the Slovak 3. Liga - Východ (East).
For 1. FK Svidník, the only good thing about this game is that it was played, so the team is still alive. After the previous week events, when 1. FK Svidník did not travel to Giraltovce and were penalized for no show, it became clear that the club is facing a crisis, deepened by the resignation and departure of the manager Róbert Petruš, one of those who contributed most to the good results in the autumn of 2019.
In this home game, managed by Jozef Žofaj, the Svidník players tried to get a good result, but the opponents were better and succeeded to win, although it was not so easy as the score might indicate. The visitors had the luck to score early in the game, as Štefan Horňak headed the ball in from close range after a cross from the left side: 0-1 (9').
While both teams had several opportunities, and the game could go in any direction, the decisive goal arrived quite late. Patrik Hudák committed a foul at the edge of the area and Martin Hreško executed perfectly the free kick: 0-2 (74').
Svidník: Dzupina - Matkobiš, P. Hudák, Zapotocký (cpt.), Kisel'a - K. Hudák (Gajdoš 46'), Tokar, Ducár, Čabala, Košč - Pótoma. Head coach: Jozef Žofaj.
Sobrance: Dráb - Vaščák, Mišl'an, Adam (cpt.), Stankovič, Ruskovský (Olah 83'), Arutiunian, Vasylynets, Horňak, Timoshevskyi, Hreško (Unhurian 82'). Head coach: Vladimír Rusnák.
Referee: Pavol Leško.
Yellow cards: Čabala 23', P. Hudák 74' - Timoshevskyi 34', Vasylynets 73'.
One may remark the debut of Anton Dzupina as goalkeeper for 1. FK Svidník, while the more experienced Adam Mikluš was kept on the bench.
1. FK Svidník are now last in the table and are clearly involved in the fight to avoid relegation. However, the survival of the club as an entity is even more important now than relegation, and hopefully the decision makers will do whatever is needed to be done to save the club from bankruptcy. There is a group of good players for this level, and the younger ones may grow around this group. Results will eventually come, once there is peace and good management within the club.

Alianza Lima - Cusco FC 0-0 in the 9th round of the Peruvian Apertura

Saturday, the 29th of August 2020, 1.15 pm local time (6.15 pm UTC), Alberto Gallardo Stadium (neutral ground), Lima, the 9th round of the Peruvian Apertura, Liga 1.
Cusco FC are undefeated since the arrival of Carlos Ramacciotti, but this was the first game they did not actually win, although they had a great opportunity, given that they played more than 60 minutes with one man more.
Alianza Lima started the game well, had most of the ball possession, had a few chances, but then Cusco FC started to get more into the game and the match became more balanced. The key fact was that Reinaldo Cruzado (Alianza Lima) was sent off in the 28' after a foul on Aranda, for which he received the second yellow card.
Cusco FC were superior in number of players, just like in the previous game against Sport Boys, but this time they were unable to make profit out of such a situation. Their biggest chance came when a shot by Mimbela from just outside the area was saved by Butrón (37').
Then, in the second half, the attacking players of Cusco FC were not in their best day, missing lots of chances, although not big ones - they did not have a single clear-cut goal opportunity throughout the whole match. Alianza Lima defended well and even had a few attacks that could have been more dangerous, but again, something happened in the final 20-25 metres, or the goalscorer was in a clear offside position (twice).
Alianza: Butrón - Salazar, A. Rodríguez, Quijada, Rosell (Arroé 64') - Ballón, Cruzado - Mora (Zúñiga 90'+2'), Ascues (Cornejo 76'), A. Gómez - Rubio (G. Sánchez 76'). Head coach: Mario Salas.
Cusco: Pretel - Toledo, Saravia, Delgado (Vílchez 53'), Céspedes - Atoche, E. Gonzales - Rivera (Sandoval 82'), Mimbela (P. Gutiérrez 46'), Aranda (Carranza 46') - Carando. Head coach: Carlos Ramacciotti.
Referee: Víctor Hugo Carrillo.
Yellow cards: Cruzado 22', 28', Rubio 44', Ascues 66', A. Gómez 69', Salazar 72', Cornejo 90'+3' - Carando 83'.
Red card: Cruzado 28' (for the second yellow card).
The match was rather disappointing. For Cusco FC, this goalless draw might be considered a good result, but they missed a big opportunity to win against one of the "big names" in Peruvian football, Alianza Lima. Cusco FC seemed scared of the chance to win this game. Head coach Carlos Ramacciotti should be proud of everything he has done in Cusco since his arrival, but two of his options in this match might be questionable. First, he took out Mimbela at half time for Gutiérrez. In the absence of Ramúa, newly-arrived Wyllian Mimbela seems to be the only real option for a good striker, especially in terms of long-range shots. Mimbela is also the only player of Cusco FC who is capable of winning a match by himself (again, apart from Ramúa). His substitution was, in my opinion, a mistake. Despite having one man more in the field than the opponent, Cusco FC's attack was weaker in the second half than in the first half. The other option is Janio Pósito. This is the third consecutive match in which Pósito does not play and is left on the bench. He is one of the best players when it comes to headers, he is a good jumper and has great aerial skills. Why not introduce him in, since Cusco FC played a lot of high balls in the opponent area, but there was nobody there to head them in? Danilo Carando was again in a goalless mood and Pósito should deserve a chance, at least for a few minutes.
Another problem is that no young players were used for Cusco FC, which means that they will have to play with two or more young players in the field in other matches to fill the number of necessary minutes played by young players.
One should also remark that this is the only match played on Saturday, while all other matches will be played on Monday and Tuesday. Cusco FC played on Wednesday and had a day of rest less, because Alianza Lima played on Tuesday. All the other teams will have more rest days than Cusco FC and Alianza Lima.
The next game of Cusco FC will be against Academia Cantolao, while Alianza Lima will play against Melgar.

Slovan Giraltovce were awarded a 3-0 win over 1. FK Svidník, the latter penalized for no show

The match between Slovan Giraltovce and 1. FK Svidník, counting for the fifth round of the Slovak 3. Liga (Third League) - Východ (East Group), was scheduled for Saturday, the 22nd of August 2020. However, the match was not played, because the visitors did not travel for "technical reasons".

Apparently, the reasons involved by 1. FK Svidník were not convincing enough for the Eastern Slovakia Football Association, which awarded a 3-0 win to Slovan Giraltovce, penalizing the visitors for no show.

There are rumours that the financial situation of 1. FK Svidník is really bad and the club is on the edge of bankruptcy. According to unofficial sources, players and staff have not been paid in months, but Michal Kurilec, the team manager of the club, declared that the financial problems are not the reason for no show and claimed that players and staff have been paid recently and now all payments are up to date.

On the other hand, head coach Róbert Petruš announced his resignation. In this case, Jozef Žofaj will take over as head coach, a position which he already covers officially. For the moment, there is complete silence regarding the future of the club.

The good news is that the next match of 1. FK Svidník, at home against FK Sobrance-Sobranecko, is scheduled normally on Sunday, the 30th of August, at 4 pm local time. Which means that the team still exists and has not (yet) withdrawn from the competition.

Cusco FC won 2-0 over Sport Boys in the 8th round of the Peruvian Apertura

Wednesday, the 26th of August 2020, 6 pm local time (11 pm UTC), Alejandro Villanueva Stadium, Lima (neutral ground), the 8th round of the Peruvian Apertura (Liga 1, first stage).

Second consecutive victory for Cusco FC since football has restarted in Peru, and third overall (if one takes into account the last match played in March), and for the first time this year Cusco FC advances in the upper half of the table. In contrast, Sport Boys are getting deeper in the relegation area of the table.

The match was fully dominated by Cusco FC, from the beginning until the end. Several Sport Boys players did not play for various reasons, but Cusco had their own list of injured players, Ramúa first of all, whose absence was really felt especially in the first 70 minutes of the game.

Because indeed, all the goals and most of the opportunities arrived in the last 20 minutes or so. In the first half, there were no clear chances, only a few long-range shots and the only event which actually changed the entire game was the red card (for a second yellow) given to Sebastián Penco in 43'.

Down to 10 men, in the second half Sport Boys struggled to maintain a goalless draw but when Carranza got in (66'), the attacks of Cusco FC became more dangerous. Rivera (71') and Carranza (73') missed chances right before the first goal: a perfect cross by Céspedes from the left side enabled Miguel Carranza to push the ball in from close range: 1-0 (76'). The same Céspedes provided another similar cross, and José Rivera found the proper touch to send the ball again into the net: 2-0 (78').

 Jair Céspedes (left) and José Rivera are celebrating the second goal of Cusco FC. Source: larepublica.pe

Cusco FC could have scored more, but Céspedes (84') and then Carando (twice) missed clear goal opportunities. The only chance for Sport Boys came in the last minute of extra time, when Herrera's shot hit the side post and then went out.

Cusco: Pretel - Toledo, Saravia (E. Gonzales 46'), Delgado, Céspedes - Atoche, Valenzuela - Rivera (Chahuaylla 80'), Mimbela, Aranda (Carranza 66') - Carando. Manager: Carlos Ramacciotti.

Sport Boys: Gambetta - Uribe, Riojas, Balbín, J. Ortiz (P. García 80') - Torrejón, Ramírez, Oncoy, Cáceres (L. Ruiz 80', Herrera 90'+2') - Huguenet, Penco. Manager: Marcelo Vivas.

Referee: Diego Haro.

Yellow cards: Mimbela 29', Saravia 38', Rivera 53', E. Gonzales 90'+2' - Penco 39', 43', Huguenet 89'.

Red card: Penco 43' (second yellow card).

Wyllian Mimbela made his debut for Cusco FC and, although he played the entire game, he obviously still needs time to adapt. His impact in this game was low. Similarly, Danilo Carando was not in one of his best days, missing important goal chances. However, when important players do not provide, others take their place and this time Céspedes and Carranza were among the best in Cusco FC. The absence of Alfredo Ramúa was also noticeable, and one still wonders when Ray Sandoval would make his debut, as this was the second game when he was not even in the larger squad.

Match at Giraltovce was not played due to "technical reasons". Financial debts of 1. FK Svidník might be the real cause, head coach Róbert Petruš is leaving

The situation at 1. FK Svidník is tense and unstable. They had a scheduled match on Saturday, the 22nd of August, at 4 pm, away at MFK Slovan Giraltovce, but they did not travel to Giraltovce. It was not a last-moment decision, as both teams knew at least one day before that the game was not going to be played as scheduled. The match is counting for the fifth round of the Slovakian 3. Liga (Third League) - Východ (East Group).

According to an article published by Daniel Dedina on the official website of the Slovak Football Association, Michal Kurilec, the team manager of 1. FK Svidník, declared that they did not travel to Giraltovce for "technical reasons", without clarifying what these reasons are. He denied the information that the club is struggling financially and has debts to players and staff, as presumed by other sources. He even mentioned that the players have been recently paid.

However, in a rather contrasting manner, head coach Róbert Petruš announced that he will no longer work with 1. FK Svidník. The presumed reason behind this decision is probably related to the financial issues which the club has had since winter, when the club president Jozef Žák was arrested. The team did not train properly in the months prior to the start of the spring season, which was then cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic. This break might have allowed for the financial problems to be solved, but it seems that not much has been done in this respect.

Under head coach Róbert Petruš, 1. FK Svidník had a good first half of the 2019-2020 season, with several excellent results, especially against the big names in the group.

Probably, Jozef Žofaj will take over as head coach, if the team will continue to play in the Slovak 3. Liga - Východ, as team manager Michal Kurilec announced. The next scheduled game is at home, against FK Sobrance-Sobranecko, on Sunday, the 30th of August, at 4 pm local time (2 pm UTC). If everything is fine, the game at Giraltovce will be rescheduled.

The home side won clearly the local derby: Lokomotiv Dryanovo - OFK Tryavna 4-0 (1-0)

Sunday, the 23rd of August 2020, 6 pm local time (3 pm UTC), Lokomotiv Stadium, Dryanovo, Bulgaria, the 3rd round of the Bulgarian Third League - North-West.

 The teams are ready for the start of the game. Source: sportal.bg

Lokomotiv Dryanovo won clearly the local derby against neighbours and rivals OFK Tryavna. The home side scored early by Momchil Petrov (10') and maintained a 1-0 advantage throughout the first half and in the beginning of the second half. The same Momchil Petrov brought happiness to the Dryanovo supporters as he doubled (64') and then tripled (75') the advantage of the home side, performing a spectacular hat-trick. The final score was established by Emil Koparanov, who transformed a penalty given for a foul on Racho Genkov: 4-0 (86'). Now, due to the involvement of president Todor Georgiev, Lokomotiv Dryanovo have a maximum of 9 points out of three matches. Their team got better and better each year and they are now among the strongest teams in the Bulgarian Third League - North-West.

 Lokomotiv Dryanovo (in red and black) clearly won the game. Source: sportal.bg

In contrast, OFK Tryavna seems to be at best at the same level as in the previous two seasons, when they fought to avoid relegation. They have no points so far; it is also true that they have only played two matches, both away, and both against strong teams in their own province: FK Sevlievo (0-3) and Lokomotiv Dryanovo (0-4). Their home game in the second round against Etar 2 Veliko Tarnovo has been postponed. Their next match will be again a very tough one, at home, against Vihar Slavyanovo, another strong team in this group, next Sunday.

Full results, table and fixtures:

Round 3 (22-23 August 2020)

FK Sevlievo – Bdin 1923 Vidin 3-0

Etar 2 Veliko Tarnovo – Spartak Pleven 3-2

Lokomotiv 1927 Dryanovo – OFK Tryavna 4-0

Vihar Slavyanovo – OFK Levski 2007 4-0

Yantra Polski Trambesh – Parva Atomna Kozloduy 1-1

OFK Lokomotiv Mezdra – Akademik Svishtov 2-1

Peshtera Galata – Levski Lom 1-1

FK Drenovets – OFK Pavlikeni 1-1

Akademia Botev Vratsa – Partizan Cherven Bryag 4-1

 

Table

 

1	Akademia Botev Vratsa	3	3	0	0	11-1	9	Promotion to Vtora Liga
2	Vihar Slavyanovo	3	3	0	0	9-1	9
3	Lokomotiv Dryanovo	3	3	0	0	9-2	9
4	FK Sevlievo	3	3	0	0	7-0	9
5	OFK Pavlikeni	3	2	1	0	4-1	7
6	FK Drenovets	3	1	1	1	4-5	4
7	Spartak Pleven	3	1	0	2	12-4	3
8	Etar 2 Veliko Tarnovo	1	1	0	0	3-2	3
9	OFK Lokomotiv Mezdra	2	1	0	1	2-2	3
10	Akademik Svishtov	3	1	0	2	5-6	3
11	Partizan Cherven Bryag	3	1	0	2	3-7	3
12	Levski Lom	2	0	2	0	1-1	2
13	Yantra Polski Trambesh	3	0	2	1	1-4	2
14	Parva Atomna Kozloduy	3	0	1	2	2-4	1
15	Peshtera Galata	3	0	1	2	1-4	1
16	OFK Levski 2007	2	0	0	2	1-7	0
17	OFK Tryavna	2	0	0	2	0-7	0
18	Bdin 1923 Vidin	3	0	0	3	0-17	0

 Round 4 (30 August 2020)

Bdin 1923 Vidin – Partizan Cherven Bryag

OFK Pavlikeni – Akademia Botev Vratsa

Levski Lom – FK Drenovets

Akademik Svishtov – Peshtera Galata

Parva Atomna Kozloduy – OFK Lokomotiv Mezdra

OFK Levski 2007 – Yantra Polski Trambesh

OFK Tryavna – Vihar Slavyanovo

Spartak Pleven – Lokomotiv 1927 Dryanovo

FK Sevlievo – Etar 2 Veliko Tarnovo