Many goals and a bit of thrill between Slávia TU Košice and 1. FK Svidník

Slávia TU Košice - 1. FK Svidník 5-2 (2-1)

Sow 15', 79', Randazzo 31', Kolbas 76', Vancák 84' - Dos Santos 41', Patkaň 57'.

Sunday, 20 August 2023, 11 am local time (8 am UTC), Technical University (TU) Stadium, Košice, Slovakia, 3rd round of the Slovak Third Division, East Group (III. Liga, Východ).

Slávia TU Košice starting line-up. Photo source: FK Slávia TU Košice Facebook page

1. FK Svidník have an unusual number of consecutive away matches at the start of this season, and this was actually the third match on the road in three rounds, and there will be a fourth match away in the upcoming week-end. So far, they only succeeded to get a single point, after a 2-2 draw away at Pártizan Bardejov in the 2nd round. It is not however such a big surprise: their opponents were among the best in the East Group of the Third Slovak Division, and this was also the case for Slávia TU Košice, which were clear favorites before the start of the game. The match respected the odds calculated previously, although there was a thrilling period during the second half, when the visitors equalized surprisingly and looked determined to get something out of this game.

Slávia however started better and had plenty of opportunities, even before their first goal, which came quite early. A beautiful run on the left finished with a precise low cross right in front of the goal, and Sidath Sow was in the right place, between the defenders and the goalkeeper, to score: 1-0 (14').

The first goal of the match, scored by Sidath Sow (in grey, #15) for Slávia TU Košice. Photo source: FK Slávia TU Košice Facebook page

The goal did not change much the aspect of the game, which continued to be clearly dominated by the hosts, looking to double their advantage. It did not take long for this to happen. This time, it was an action on the right side, and a vertical pass through the defenders to Noah Randazzo, who, alone with the goalkeeper Anton Dzupina, found the right shot to the far post: 2-0 (31').

It was only at 2-0 that Slávia TU players relaxed a little bit, and the visitors were therefore able to give a proper response. So proper, that it was actually a goal. Boris Pončák launched Pablo Felipe Dos Santos on the right side, and the Brazilian winger had a wonderful direct shot to the far post, surprising everyone: 2-1 (41').

Slávia TU Košice dominated and attacked most of the match, but 1. FK Svidník tried to defend well. Photo source: FK Slávia TU Košice Facebook page

In the second half, the visitors believed in their chance to come back in this game, although Slávia TU Košice continued to press. In one of the visitors' counterattacks, Sebastián Patkaň, although not supported by his teammates, had a run on the right and then tried a long-range shot, which hit the right-upper corner: 2-2 (57'). The goalscorer had just came in at half time!

There was a certain shock after the equalizer, and Slávia TU players needed some time to resume their offensive. While they had some chances, it was obvious that they were no longer so sure about winning the game, and made some unusual mistakes, especially in the decisive moments, like the last pass, or the shot meant to score.

Eventually, one of those who came in as substitutes, Jaroslav Kolbas, found the way to the goal, with a nice shot from inside the box: 3-2 (76'). The goal certainly brought the much needed peace to the minds of the hosts, triggering other goals as well, as the home side looked unstoppable from that moment. Sidath Sow scored his second goal of the day, after a corner: 4-2 (79'). Then, Matej Makara committed a foul inside the box, and the penalty was converted by the captain František Vancák: 5-2 (84').

Slávia TU Košice: Pangrác - Pásztor, Korijkov, Gere, Urban (Tišt'an 74'), Tobiaš, Vancák, Sovič, Sow, Randazzo (Kolbas 62'), Gallo (Mihók 62'). Manager: Matej Timkovič.

1. FK Svidník: Dzupina - Makara, Lukčo, Ducár - Dos Santos, Jiménez, Pončák, Fedor - Palaj - Lima (Patkaň 46'), Gajdoš (Hoponko 80'). Manager: Tomáš Suslo.

Referee: Dávid Mano.

Yellow cards: Lukčo 28', Jiménez 51'.

In the next round, 1. FK Svidník will play again away at MŠK Spišské Podhradie on Saturday afternoon, while Slávia TU Košice will face FTC Fil'akovo on Sunday, also away.