First defeat for 1. FK Svidník: 2-0 away at MFK Snina

Sunday, the 9th of August 2020, 4.30 pm local time (2.30 pm UTC), Mestský futbalový štadion, Snina, Slovakia, the 3rd round of the Slovak 3. Liga - Východ (East) Group.

The first defeat this season for 1. FK Svidník came in the third round, as they played away at MFK Snina, one of the strong teams in this group. The home side dominated the game and succeeded to score just before half time, by means of their captain, Róbert Dický: 1-0 (44'). In the second half, Snina doubled their advantage as Dušan Janko transformed a penalty: 2-0 (65'). The visitors tried to fight back, but they were unsuccessful.

MFK Snina: Lojka - Hanc, Bednár, Jankaj, Mihalčin (Hreha 78') - Dický (cpt.), Rohulskyi (Kroka 89'), Janko (Holinka 67') - Ferko, Losiev (Matta 67'), Voroňák (Lukáč 78'). Head coach: René Kočan.

1. FK Svidník: Mikluš - Kirzneris, P. Hudák, Zapotocký (cpt.), Kisel'a - Čabala - Matkobiš (Kočan 79'), Ducár, Tokar, Košč (K. Hudák 89') - Potoma (Makara 85'). Manager: Róbert Petruš. Head coach: Jozef Žofaj.

Referee: Miloš Jasečko.

Yellow cards: Jankaj 75', Holinka 80' - Košč 40', Kirzneris 65'.

As one can see, 1. FK Svidník used the same starting XI as in the previous game, and even had more or less the same three subs (with one exception). This might be good in certain circumstances, but in this context it rather means that the manager has very few options and the team needs reinforcements, urgently. One cannot play with several kids under 20 years old and a striker who is 43 years old, and expect high performance.

The next game for 1. FK Svidník will be next Sunday, at home, against Plavnica, a more accessible opponent, at least theoretically, as in fact they haven't yet lost any game this season, with 2 wins and a draw. 1. FC Tatran Prešov and MFK Snina are on top of the table with 9 points each (three wins in all three matches), while 1. FK Svidník is currently 11th out of 16.

The Peruvian First Division is suspended again, after it has just restarted

 Only one game, Academia Cantolao - Universitario de Deportes (0-0), was played in the seventh round of the Peruvian Apertura, which was supposed to mark the return to football in Peru after five months of break due to COVID-19 pandemic. All matches were supposed to be played in Lima, and all teams agreed to follow certain health protocols, including coronavirus tests before each game.

However, it was not meant to be. Many fans of Universitario gathered around the stadium where the match took place, without respecting social distancing, and police had to be brought in to disperse the ultras.

After the game was over, the authorities asked the Peruvian Football Federation to suspend again the competition, which they did. All the other matches scheduled for Saturday, Sunday and Monday were postponed indefinitely.

Cusco FC should have played against Carlos Stein in the first match of the day, on Saturday, the 8th of August. The game was postponed, just like all the others. Cusco FC succeeded to transfer some players just before the restart of the competition, including goalkeeper Carlos Gómez (Deportivo Coopsol), midfielder Erick Gonzáles (Deportivo Coopsol), as well as two well-known players, right winger Jhon Oviedo (on loan from Universitario) and their former player Ray Sandoval, who came back from Sporting Cristal to help the attack.

It is unclear when the Peruvian First Division will restart again, and what sort of protocols would be needed. Fans are not allowed on the stadiums, but the clubs cannot control what the fans are doing outside the stadium.

The local derby provided no winner: 1. FK Svidník - MŠK Tesla Stropkov 1-1

Wednesday, the 5th of August 2020, 4:30 pm local time (2:30 UTC), Mestský futbalový štadion, Svidník, Slovakia, the 2nd round of the Slovak 3. Liga - Východ (East).

The long-awaited local derby between the football teams of the neighbouring towns Svidník and Stropkov attracted a crowd of 500 spectators (despite the pandemic), much above the average in the Svidník stadium.

Both teams fought well and the match was quite balanced, a fact which also materialized on the score board. 1. FK Svidník started the new season with a 1-1 draw away at Spišská Nová Ves, a good results in front of a reformed team which seems to be one of the strongest in this group. On the other hand, Tesla Stropkov won their first match this season, 1-0 at home against Bardejovská Nová Ves. As a consequence, both sides had a good state of mind for this derby. The visitors dominated most of the match, but the home side was dangerous on the counterattack.

After a goalless first half, the only goals of the game came in the beginning of the second half. First, the visitors broke the deadlock by means of their captain, Frederik Varga, who sent the ball home from inside the area after an assist from Grujović: 0-1 (50'). Immediately after, the home side replied: Kristian Matkobiš crossed from the right, Róbert Potoma headed towards the goal, the goalkeeper saved but the new reconverted goalscorer, Ján Ducár, was right there to put it in: 1-1 (53'). Despite the efforts of both teams to score the winning goal, the score remained the same until the final whistle came to conclude the draw.

Svidník: Mikluš - Kirzneris, Hudák, Zapotocký (cpt.), Kisel'a - Čabala - K. Matkobiš, Ducár (Gajdoš 80'), Tokar (Kočan 90'), Košč - Potoma (Makara 90'+1'). Manager: Róbert Petruš. Head coach: Jozef Žofaj.

Stropkov: Levchenko - Bochin, Daniuk, Harvilko - Leško (Slobodník 80'), Kmit' (Petrišin 72'), Kuzma, Vaško (Pol'ák 46'), M. Matkobiš - Grujović, Varga (cpt.). Head coach: L'uboš Reiter.

Referee: Štefan Molitoris.

On Sunday, the 9th of August, in the third round, 1. FK Svidník will play away at MFK Snina.

The Bulgarian Third League will start this week-end, on the 8th and 9th of August, with a record number of teams enrolled

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which stopped the competition at the beginning of March 2020, the 2020-2021 season of the Bulgarian Third League is set to start this week-end, with a record number of teams. This happened mostly because the previous season was ”frozen” and no teams were relegated, while promotions (from the county leagues) were allowed. Therefore, there are 18 teams in three of the four groups, and only 15 teams in the North-East Group at the moment. However, this is a significant increase compared to the previous seasons.

For instance, in the Severozapadna (North-West) Treta Liga, the North-West group, it is the first time after many years that the competition starts with 18 teams. Last season there were only 14 teams which competed, while previously there were usually 16 teams enrolled.

In this North-West group, although relegation was suspended, two teams withdrew: tenth classified Kom Berkovitsa and last classified (14th), Juventus 95 Malchika, gave up and will probably enrol in the county leagues. Yantra 2019 Gabrovo, leaders when the competition was suspended and then given as finalized, promoted to the Second League. They were replaced by Spartak Pleven, relegated from the Second League after just one year.

Six new teams enrolled for the 2020-2021 season. Three of them won their county league and gain their spot deservedly: Etar Veliko Tarnovo II (the reserve team of the First League side Etar), Peshtera Galata and Levski 2007 (which came back to the competition just one year after they were relegated to the county league). The other three new teams were probably accepted for different reasons: Yantra Polski Trambesh were only fourth in Veliko Tarnovo County League, but somehow managed to earn a spot in the Third League, one year after they were relegated; Akademia Botev Vratsa is the reserve (youth) team of First League side Botev Vratsa; while Levski 2020 Lom is a new team, which seems to come out of nowhere.

In the North-West group, all the matches of the first round will be played on Sunday evening, at 6 pm local time:

Spartak Pleven - Bdin 1923 Vidin

FK Sevlievo - OFK Tryavna

Etar II - Levski 2007

Lokomotiv 1927 Dryanovo - Parva Atomna Kozloduy

Vihar Slavyanovo - Akademik Svishtov

Yantra Polksi Trambesh - Levski 2020 Lom

OFK Lokomotiv Mezdra - OFK Pavlikeni

Peshtera Galata - Partizan Cherven Bryag

FK Drenovets - Akademia Botev Vratsa

The 2020-2021 season will start on Sunday in the Bulgarian Third League. Photo from the match Partizan Cherven Bryag (in red) - OFK Tryavna 3-0, played in 2019. Source: Partizan Cherven Bryag Facebook page / SPL

It is hard to make any predictions, but if one takes into account the previous seasons, Spartak Pleven, FK Sevlievo and Vihar Slavyanovo seem to be the main candidates for promotion, but any surprise is possible. As usual, a larger number of teams is expected to be involved in the fight to avoid relegation, and OFK Tryavna may be one such team, along with some of the newly-promoted or admitted sides, as well as Lokomotiv 1927 Dryanovo, FK Drenovets, and perhaps others.

Success slipped away in the last minute: FK Spišská Nová Ves - 1. FK Svidník 1-1 (0-0)

Saturday, the 1st of August 2020, 4.30 pm local time (2.30 pm UTC), Mestský futbalový štadion, Spišská Nová Ves, Slovakia, the 1st round of the Slovak 3. Liga - Východ (East).

After a break of 8 months and a half, as the last official games were played in mid-November 2019, the Slovak 3. Liga resumed with the first round of the 2020-2021 season.

1. FK Svidník started well and got one point away at Spišská Nová Ves, but they were very close to get all the points. The home side dominated most of the match, but they missed several important goal opportunities. On a counterattack, Štefan Košč provided an excellent assist from the left side to Ján Ducár, who scored for the visitors from inside the area: 0-1 (65'). However, after many other goal chances, Spišská Nová Ves succeeded to equalize in stoppage time, by means of L'uboš Ontko, with a beautiful long-range shot: 1-1 (90'+2').
Spišská Nová Ves: Gaborčík - Baranyi, Kamenický, Korba, T. Ontko -  Šoltés (cpt.) - Tkáč, L. Ontko, Hagara, Majko (Riš 67') - Gibala (Ištvánik 46'). Head coach: Štefan Markulík.
Svidník: Mikluš - Matkobiš (Potoma 90'), Hudák, Zapotocký (cpt.), Kisel'a - Kirzneris, Čabala - Makara (Tokar 54'), Ducár, Gajdoš (Kočan 78') - Košč. Manager: Róbert Petruš. Head coach: Jozef Žofaj.
Referee: Dávid Gorel.
Yellow cards: Matkobiš 59', Čabala 67'.
In the other matches played on Saturday:
MFK Vranov nad Topl'ou - Spišské Podhradie 2-1
FK Humenné - Odeva Lipany 1-1

The joint Elite and Challenge Cup postponed as Lebanon enters a new lockdown period

Official football competitions have stopped in Lebanon since October 2019 due to the economic and social situation in the country, which fuelled nation-wide protests. Unofficial football matches have also stopped since March 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic. 

Lockdown measures have been gradually lifted in May and June 2020, but a new wave of infection led the government to impose a new lockdown, starting on the 30th of July, and this is said to last at least until the 10th of August, with a small break in the middle of the next week.

Therefore, the joint Elite and Challenge Cup, scheduled to start this Saturday, the 1st of August, has been postponed. The first round matches in Group A were initially scheduled on Saturday at 4:30, involving a very expected clash between champions Al Ahed and Bourj FC. First round matches in Group B and Group C were initially scheduled on Sunday and Monday. The entire competition must be rescheduled and even the start of the Lebanese Premier League, set for mid-September, might be in danger.

Training sessions have also stopped. Some of the football clubs announced that they will resume training sessions during the break in the next week, before the ban on any collective activity would re-enter into force.

The 2020-2021 Slovak 3. Liga will start on the 1st of August with 3 new teams in the Východ (East) Group

Amidst general concern regarding the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Slovak regional football associations decided to start the 2020-2021 season of the 3. Liga in the next week-end, on the 1st of August (Saturday) and the 2nd of August (Sunday), for the East and Central groups, and in the other week-end, on the 7th and 8th of August, for the West and Bratislava groups. The first match of the 2020-2021 3. Liga will actually be played on Friday, the 31st of July, between TJ Tatran Oravské Veselé and FK Cadca, at 5:30 pm local time (3:30 pm UTC), in the Stred (Central) Group. Most of the 3. Liga teams have already played an official match in the first round of the Slovakian Cup, on the 25th or 26th of July 2020.

The four groups will basically start with the same 16 teams each, as the 2019-2020 was cancelled, and there was no promotion to 2. Liga or relegation to 4. Liga. However, there are slight changes, because several teams withdrew from the competition. This happened even in the 2. Liga, where Ružomberok B (the second team of Super League team Ružomberok) withdrew, and apparently the 2. Liga will start in the next week-end with only 15 teams.

The number of withdrawn teams is higher in the 3. Liga, where the COVID-19 pandemic had a bigger impact on club budgets. In the Východ (East) Group, three teams have withdrawn: FK Poprad B, OŠFK Šarišské Michal'any and TJ Vel'ké Revištia. They have been replaced by MŠK Spišské Podhradie, Slávia TU Košice and FK Sobrance - Sobranecko. Initially, only FK Poprad B withdrew, and the Východ (East) Regional Football Association agreed to admit both MŠK Spišské Podhradie (2nd classified in the 2018-2019 4. Liga North) and Slávia TU Košice (2nd classified in the 2018-2019 4. Liga South) in their place, therefore increasing the number of participants to 17. It is worth mentioning that these two teams, MŠK Spišské Podhradie and Slávia TU Košice, were clear leaders of the two eastern 4. Liga groups when the 2019-2020 season was cancelled, and were therefore the main candidates for promotion to the 2020-2021 3. Liga - Východ (East) Group.

Then, when OŠFK Šarišské Michal'any eventually withdrew, the number of teams was reduced to the usual 16. The final change (so far) occurred when TJ Vel'ké Revištia changed their name (and actually their location) to FK Sobrance - Sobranecko. The new team officially acquired all the rights and the history of TJ Vel'ké Revištia, while unofficially it is clearly related to the former MFK Sobrance, a club which competed in the 4. Liga - South, and finished 7th at the end of the 2018-2019 season, the last season which was completed, and were in the 13th position when the 2019-2020 season was interrupted and then cancelled. MFK Sobrance no longer enrolled for the 2020-2021 4. Liga, so it pretty much looks like a transfer of places between the two teams, made according to the legal regulations, or rather bypassing the regulations. It is worth mentioning that TJ Vel'ké Revištia were last classified and seemed to be in big trouble when the 2019-2020 3. Liga season was interrupted and then cancelled. No team from Vel'ké Revištia is enrolled in any league so far for the 2020-2021 season.

With one exception, matches in the first round of the 3. Liga - Východ (East) Group will all kick off at 4.30 pm local time (2.30 pm UTC) on the 1st and 2nd of August. The fixtures are the following:

MFK Vranov nad Topl'ou - MŠK Spišské Podhradie (Saturday, 4:30 pm)

FK Humenné - ŠK Odeva Lipany (Saturday, 4:30 pm)

FK NOVES Spišská Nová Ves - 1. FK Svidník (Saturday, 4:30 pm)

Slávia TU Košice - FK POKROK SEZ Krompachy (Sunday, 10:30 am)

TJ Mladost' Kalša - 1. FC Tatran Prešov (Sunday, 4:30 pm)

MŠK Tesla Stropkov - Millenium 2000 Bardejovská Nová Ves (Sunday, 4:30 pm)

MFK Snina - FK Sobrance-Sobranecko (Sunday, 4:30 pm)

FK Družstevník Plavnica - MFK Slovan Giraltovce (Sunday, 4:30 pm)

The second round will be played on Wednesday, the 5th of August, kicking off at 4:30 pm local time, while the third round will be played during the next week-end, on the 8th and 9th of August, also kicking off at 4:30 pm local time.

It is hard to predict which teams will be involved in the fight for promotion and to avoid relegation. If one considers the situation of the 2019-2020 cancelled season, 1. FC Tatran Prešov, ŠK Odeva Lipany, MFK Vranov nad Topl'ou and FK Humenné would be the candidates for the top spot. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated economic crisis might have changed the strengths of the teams, therefore it is almost impossible to tell which teams will be most likely to be on top positions or in the lower part of the classification.

1. FK Svidník were in a bad situation even before the pandemic. They had a good first part of the 2019-2020 season, and were classified 9th (out of 16) after 17 rounds, when the competition was interrupted and then cancelled. This was a mid-table position which involved no stress for the second part of the season. However, just like everyone else, their last official game was played in November 2019. Problems at the club began in winter, when the club president, Jozef Žák, faced certain legal issues. By February 2020, the situation at the club worsened, as training sessions did not resume properly and on time to prepare the spring part of the season. The COVID-19 pandemic postponed a decision regarding the club management. In June 2020, the club enrolled for the 3. Liga and head coach Róbert Petruš said that he hopes the club is able to start the season and to solve the financial issues with the players, who haven't been paid in months.

1. FK Svidník head coach Róbert Petruš standing in front of the bench where club president Jozef Žák (in white, with a medical bag on his lap) is seated next to some of the players.

Source: Ladislav Lukáč (Korzár Prešov)

They will start the league just like a year ago, with an away match at Spišská Nová Ves on Saturday, then comes the local derby against Tesla Stropkov at home on Wednesday, and again away at MFK Snina the next Sunday. Three difficult matches in the first three rounds. More details about the situation at the club and the news regarding the roster will be probably available soon. For the moment, the club website has completely disappeared (it was anyway outdated and unchanged for at least 2 years) and the Facebook page is yet silent. Not even the local weekly newspaper Poddukliansky Novinky has published any news related to the club lately.