Nemtinov's early goal gave 1. FK Svidník another crucial win

1. FK Svidník - TJ Baník Kalinovo 1-0 (1-0)

Nemtinov 5'

Sunday, 16 April 2023, 4 pm local time (2 pm UTC), Mestský futbalový štadión, Svidník, Slovakia, 22nd round of the Slovak Third League - East (3. Liga - Východ).

TJ Baník Kalinovo in white, the referees, and 1. FK Svidník (in red) before the start of the match. Source: capture from the YouTube broadcast of the match

After a very important away win last week-end, 2-1 at FK Poprad, 1. FK Svidník faced yet another relegation contender, this time TJ Baník Kalinovo, on their own ground. Given the way in which the match started, with an early goal and plenty of home side opportunities, everybody expected many goals to come, but in the end the only goal that stood was the one that came out of Yevhenii Nemtinov's right foot, from the edge of the area, to the left of the goalkeeper: 1-0 (5').

Just a minute before the goal, Ján Hatok missed a big chance, one on one with the goalkeeper (4'), then the same Nemtinov could have scored a brace, but was denied by the Kalinovo goalkeeper Jakub Slaniniak (8').

The visitors' goalkeeper had a lot of trouble in the first half, as he saved Sabolčík's shot towards the upper corner (18') and then a couple of shots by L'ubomír Ivanko Macej, one by Michal Tokar (from very close range) and one by Dávid Ivanecký.

The Svidník side could have regretted not finishing the game in the first half, because they lived quite dangerously in the second half. The visitors got more courage and threatened several times to equalize, especially by means of Filip Blahuta, who came in after the break. The Svidník defence resisted though, and the home side also had some good chances to score a second goal, but missed them all, maintaining the tension right until the final whistle.

With this second consecutive win, 1. FK Svidník have just switched places with their opponents, TJ Baník Kalinovo, as they climbed into tenth place, and Kalinovo dropped to 11th.

Svidník: Tiurin - Migaš (Makara 82'), Grejták, Ducár, Magul'ak - Sabolčík, Ivanecký, Nemtinov (Gajdoš 68') - Ivanko Macej, Tokar (Klučár 59'), Hatok. Manager: Vladislav Palša.

Kalinovo: Slaniniak - Vilhan, Ludha (Blahuta 46'), T. Filipiak, Toshor, Kováč, Fajčík (Tatar 79'), Koták, A. Filipiak, Kukol', Marchuk. Manager: Matej Čobik Ferčik.

Referee: Radoslav Bobko.

Yellow cards: Migaš 75' - A. Filipiak 37', Kováč 68', T. Filipiak 81', Koták 90'.

Full results, table and fixtures:

 

Round 22 (15-16 April 2023)

 

MFK Slovan Giraltovce – MFK Snina 2-1

Partizán Bardejov BŠK – FK Spišská Nová Ves 0-2

ŠK Odeva Lipany – MŠK Tesla Stropkov 4-1

MŠK Novohrad Lučenec – MFK Vranov nad Topľou 1-2

Slávia TU Košice – MŠK Námestovo 3-0

FTC Fiľakovo – MŠK Rimavská Sobota 2-2

TJ Tatran Oravské Veselé – FK Poprad 1-1

1. FK Svidník – TJ Baník Kalinovo 1-0

 

Table

 

1	FK Spišská Nová Ves	22	16	4	2	50-15	52	Promotion to 2. Liga
2	ŠK Odeva Lipany	22	16	3	3	49-20	51
3	MFK Vranov nad Topl’ou	22	12	7	3	48-21	43
4	Partizán Bardejov BŠK	22	10	6	6	39-28	36
5	MFK Snina	22	10	5	7	40-30	35
6	MŠK Rimavská Sobota	22	10	4	8	41-41	34
7	Slávia TU Košice	22	10	4	8	34-27	34
8	TJ Tatran Oravské Veselé	22	9	6	7	33-27	33
9	MŠK Tesla Stropkov	22	10	3	9	34-30	33
10	1. FK Svidník	22	6	7	9	24-29	25
11	TJ Baník Kalinovo	22	5	8	9	25-40	23
12	MŠK Novohrad Lučenec	22	4	8	10	16-30	20
13	MŠK Námestovo	22	5	5	12	18-36	20
14	MFK Slovan Giraltovce	22	5	4	13	14-44	19
15	FK Poprad	22	4	5	13	19-38	17	Relegation to 4. Liga
16	FTC Fiľakovo	22	3	3	16	21-49	12	Relegation to 4. Liga

 

In case that two or more teams are equal on points, the main ranking criteria are the results of the head-to-head matches.

 

Round 23 (22-23 April 2023)

 

MŠK Námestovo – MFK Slovan Giraltovce

FK Spišská Nová Ves – Slávia TU Košice

MFK Vranov nad Topľou – MŠK Rimavská Sobota

Partizán Bardejov BŠK – FTC Fiľakovo

FK Poprad – ŠK Odeva Lipany

MŠK Tesla Stropkov – MŠK Novohrad Lučenec

MFK Snina – 1. FK Svidník

TJ Baník Kalinovo – TJ Tatran Oravské Veselé

 

Cusco FC won over Deportivo Binacional and climbed into third place

Cusco FC - Deportivo Binacional 2-1 (1-1)

Fajardo 13', Ayarza 77' - Cáceres 27'.

Friday, 7 April 2023, 3:30 pm local time (8:30 pm UTC), Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium, Cusco, Peru, 11th round of Apertura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

 Cusco FC starting line-up. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Deportivo Binacional starting line-up. Source: Deportivo Binacional Facebook page

Cusco FC continue their winning streak at home, as the match against Binacional concluded with their fourth consecutive win on their home ground. One can state that they won all the matches that they actually played at home, since their only "loss" was in the first match of the season, when the visitors were awarded the win because Cusco FC refused to play. More than that, they are undefeated in the last four games, and only lost one game in the last 8 matches, of which they won five. So, Cusco FC are in excellent form and they even climbed into the third position in the Apertura table, four points behind the leaders, Alianza Lima.

Deportivo Binacional are in a rather opposite situation. They failed to win a single match so far this season, they are bottom of the table and fared so poorly that they only have 2 points after 8 matches. 

Nevertheless, although Cusco FC were favourites from the start, the match was much more balanced than expected. Not necessarily in the beginning, when the home side took the match very seriously and scored early. Felucho Rodríguez executed a corner from the left side, Alonso passed to José Fajardo, who found the back of the net from short range: 1-0 (13').

The Panamanian José Fajardo scored the first goal of the match. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page

The goal did not seem to stop Cusco FC, which continued their usual offensive play, and goalkeeper Enríquez had to save a couple of good shots by Felucho Rodríguez, the most dangerous Cusco forward in the first half.

Gradually, the visitors tried to balance the game, and they even managed to score the equalizer. Jack Durán's long-distance shot from the right side was slightly deflected by Jefferson Cáceres inside the box, enough to trick goalkeeper Ferreyra: 1-1 (27').

Jefferson Cáceres (right) congratulated by Jack Durán (left) and Edson Aubert (centre) for scoring the equalizer. Source: Deportivo Binacional Facebook page

The equalizer came as a surprise for Cusco FC, as they probably thought that the match had been already won. It was not easy for the hosts to resume the attacks. Their only important chance before the break came after a corner, when Nelinho Quina's header from an excellent position went slightly wide (43').

In the second half, both teams had their chances, and the match was balanced for a long while. It took a mistake made by Edson Aubert, a tough and useless foul on Federico Alonso, to unbalance the game into Cusco FC's favour.  Edson Aubert was sent off with a straight red (69') and Deportivo Binacional had to give up all their offensive strategies and to concentrate on defence. 

They resisted less than 10 minutes in 10 men. The other decisive moment of the game was the introduction of Alfredo "Chapú" Ramúa on the pitch in the 76th minute. His first touch of the ball was a perfect assist for Abdiel Ayarza, who headed the ball into the back of the net from inside the box: 2-1 (77').

 Alfredo Ramúa jumped into the arms of Abdiel Ayarza, the two who contributed to the decisive goal of the match. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page

In the final minutes, Deportivo Binacional had to risk everything and to attack, and they even had a couple of opportunities. However, Cusco FC had even bigger chances to score a third goal, but missed incredibly in very promising situations. The most beautiful action by Cusco FC involved three players on a fast break, Abdiel Ayarza on the left, crossed for José Fajardo, who assisted Felucho Rodríguez, whose shot was saved spectacularly by goalkeeper Enríquez.

Brandon Palacios (Deportivo Binacional), who had just came in as a sub, became injured after a collision, and the visitors actually played in just nine in stoppage time, but Cusco FC did not take advantage of it. Nevertheless, they got the three points, though it was more difficult than expected.

Cusco FC: Ferreyra - Estrada (Bilbao 88'), Alonso, N. Quina, Gordillo (Benincasa 80') - Aucca (Uribe 46') - Da Luz (R. Díaz 76'), Vidales (Ramúa 76'), Ayarza, F. Rodríguez - Fajardo. Manager: Pablo Peirano.

Binacional: Enríquez - Villamarín (Núñez 90'), Mena, Murillo, M. Quina (Palacios 81'), Rosell (Vizcarra 90') - Aubert, Romero, Durán (Oncoy 71'), Polar - Cáceres (B. Fernández 81'). Manager: Darío Franco.

Referee: Jesús Cartagena.

Yellow cards: Aucca 44', Estrada 71', Ferreyra 73' - Mena 11', Murillo 61', Palacios 90'.

Red card: Aubert 69'.

The Panamanian Abdiel Ayarza (Cusco FC) was again one of the best players of the match. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page

In the next round, Cusco FC will face ADT Tarma away, while Deportivo Binacional will play against Sport Huancayo at home.

Bourj FC lost both legs to Al Wahda FC (UAE) and are out of the Arab Club Champions Cup

After almost 30 years, Bourj FC participated in an official international competition, the Arab Club Champions Cup, facing Al Wahda FC of the United Arab Emirates in the first qualifying round. For unknown reasons, both legs had to be played at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the home ground of Al Wahda FC. 

In the first game, played on Tuesday, 4 April 2023, Bourj FC were officially ”the hosts”, but lost 3-0 and the difference could have been bigger. 

Bourj FC delegation before the start of the first game. Source: Bourj FC Facebook page

All the goals were scored in the first half. Alaa Eddine Zouhir broke the deadlock with a precise header from short range, after a beautiful cross by Rúben Amaral from the right side: 0-1 (16'). Matheus Pereira perfectly executed a free kick from just outside the box to make it 0-2 (29'). Bourj goalkeeper Hadi Mortada saved a shot, but the ball deflected to João Pedro, who only had to tap it in: 0-3 (35').

Bourj FC starting line-up in the first match. Source: Bourj FC Facebook page

In the second half, Bourj FC made several changes, introducing more of their own young talents. Al Wahda continued to dominate the game and they had some great opportunities, including a shot in the side post, but there were no more goals until the end of the game.

Bourj FC: Hadi Mortada - Mohamad El Dor (Zein Tahan 88'), Mohamad El Housseini, Richard Baffour, Shadi Skaf - Emmanuel Obere (Ali Chaito 70'), Mohamad Al Faour (Mohamad Sadek 46') - Dennis Tetteh (Mohamad El Sibaii 74'), Bilal Al Sabbagh (Ali Markabawi 46'), Mansa Konaté - Boucounta Sarr. Manager: Hussein Tahan.

Al Wahda: Mohamed Al Shamsi - Alaa Eddine Zouhir, Lucas Pimenta, Ahmed Rashid (Abdulla Al Karbi 46'), Rúben Amaral - Allan Marques (Daniel Asoma 65'), Adrien Silva (Abdulla Hamad 75') - Tahnoon Al Zaabi, Matheus Perreira (Mahmoud Khamis 82'), Suhail Salem (Ismail Matar 65') - João Pedro. Manager: Arno Buitenweg.

Referee: Ahmed Al Ali (Jordan).

In the second match, on Saturday, 8 April 2023, Bourj FC played much better and even had a couple of chances.

Al Wahda starting line-up in the second match. Source: Al Wahda FC Facebook page

Al Wahda, this time hosts both officially and practically, dominated the entire game and had a ball possession which at some point was above 70%. Bourj FC goalkeeper Antoine Al Douaihy made some fantastic saves, including the one in front of João Pedro, all alone in the box (25'). On the other hand, Mohamad El Dor had a good long distance shot, but Al Shamsi saved as well (32').

In the second half, and especially towards the end, Al Wahda intensified their attacks. A header by João Pedro hit the crossbar (87') and it looked like Bourj FC will get away with an honourable 0-0 draw.

However, the last action of the match brought the winning goal for the Emirates side. After a corner from the left side, the Bourj defenders were unable to clear, and the ball reached Allan Marques, on the edge of the box, whose shot penetrated in between all the legs and into the back of the net: 1-0 (90'+6').

Allan Marques (in grey, facing the camera) celebrates after scoring the winning goal of the second match. Source: Al Wahda FC Facebook page

Al Wahda: Mohamed Al Shamsi - Alaa Eddine Zouhir, Lucas Pimenta, Ahmed Rashid, Rúben Amaral - Allan Marques, Abdulla Hamad (Adrien Silva 66') - Facundo Krupzky, Ismaeil Matar, Suhail Salem (Mahmoud Khamis 88') - João Pedro. Manager: Arno Buitenweg.

Bourj FC: Antoine Al Douaihy - Mohamad El Dor, Mohamad El Housseini, Shadi Skaf, Hussein Dakik - Emmanuel Obere (Hussein Ibrahim 79'), Mansa Konaté - Zein Tahan, Dennis Tetteh (Mohamad El Sibaii 79'), Ali Markabawi (Mohamad Sadek 73') - Boucounta Sarr. Manager: Hussein Tahan.

Referee: Qasim Matar Al Hatmi (Oman).

Al Wahda therefore qualified with an aggregate score of 4-0. Most likely, they will face AS FAR Rabat (Morocco) in the second qualifying round.

 Bourj FC players and staff in the airport. Source: Bourj FC Facebook page

For Bourj FC, the season is not yet over, as they are still involved in the Lebanese FA Cup semifinals, where they will face Nejmeh on Sunday, 23 April 2023. It will be interesting to see if some of the players who were on loan to Bourj FC from other Lebanese clubs for these two legs against Al Wahda will still be in the ranks of Bourj FC for the Cup semifinals. Bourj FC only qualified for the Lebanese Cup final in 1993, when they also won the trophy.

FBC Melgar and Cusco FC shared points in Southern Peruvian derby

FBC Melgar - Cusco FC 1-1 (1-0)

Iberico 23' - F. Rodríguez 49'.

Saturday, 1 April 2023, 3:30 pm local time (8:30 pm UTC), Monumental de la UNSA Stadium, Arequipa, Peru, round 10 of Apertura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

 Cusco FC starting XI. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page

FBC Melgar starting XI. Source: FBC Melgar Facebook page

The Southern Peruvian derby between FBC Melgar and Cusco FC was scheduled in a difficult moment for FBC Melgar, which has yet to win a game this season and had not scored a single goal so far. Cusco FC, on the other hand, had a good start of the season, and are classified in the top half of the table, while in their last two games they smashed Carlos A. Mannucci 3-0 at home and drew 0-0 away at UTC Cajamarca.

Luis Iberico (in red and black) scored the first goal of the game. Source: FBC Melgar Facebook page

Nonetheless, FBC Melgar were considered favorites for the game, and they were not far from winning. While Cusco FC had some dangerous actions in the beginning of the game, the home side took the lead: Cristian Bordacahar crossed from the right, and Luis Iberico headed from the centre of the box: 1-0 (23'). FBC Melgar had some other chances as well, but the biggest opportunity belonged to José Fajardo (Cusco FC), whose shot was blocked by the goalkeeper Cáceda (32').

The visitors started the second half determined to equalize quickly, and they did so. Johnny Vidales (former Melgar player) launched José Fajardo on the left, his cross was partly blocked by a defender, and Felipe Rodríguez skillfully took the ball and placed a left-footed shot to the far post: 1-1 (49').

Felucho Rodríguez (on top) and José Fajardo celebrate the equalizer. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Immediately after, FBC Melgar could have taken the lead, as Bordacahar headed in after a cross from the left by Bernardo Cuesta. The goal was (wrongly) cancelled for offside (52').

FBC Melgar increased the intensity of their attacks and had several important opportunities, but goalkeeper Ferreyra saved several shots, while Cuesta hit the side post (75'). Cusco FC responded mainly on counterattacks, and also had some chances to take the lead. However, in the final minutes, they remained in just ten, as Gerson Barreto was sent off for a second yellow card (86'). FBC Melgar however did not take advantage of the situation and the game ended 1-1.

FBC Melgar: Cáceda - Ramos, Galeano, Deneumostier, Reyna - Orzán (Tandazo 82'), T. Martínez (Archimbaud 66'), A. Arias (Cabrera 66') - Bordacahar (D'Arrigo 82'), Cuesta, Iberico (Magnín 73'). Manager: Mariano Soso.

Cusco FC: Ferreyra - Estrada (Bilbao 59'), Alonso, Quina, Gordillo (Benincasa 83') - Barreto - Da Luz (Arakaki 83'), Ayarza, Vidales (Aucca 69'), F. Rodríguez (Cantoro 83') - Fajardo. Manager: Pablo Peirano.

Referee: Luis Ciriaco.

Yellow cards: Cuesta 8', Deneumostier 10', Archimbaud 77' - Quina 37', Fajardo 39', Barreto 41', 86'.

Red card: Barreto 86'.

In the next round, Cusco FC will play at home against Deportivo Binacional, while FBC Melgar will play away at Sport Huancayo.