For the first friendly match within mid-season trainings in Spanish Estepona Viktoria challenged an opponent Wuhan Zall, a participant of the Chinese Super League. At the training stadium Arroyo Enmedio Viktoria grabbed leading soon thanks to Erik Pačinda’s goal, nevertheless, the opponent equalized the score in the second half and both teams drew in this match.

Mid-season, Wed 23rd Jan 2019, 16:00, Arroyo Enmedio, Estepona

Plzeň: Kozáčik – Havel, Pernica, Hejda, Limberský – Kayamba, Procházka, Hrošovský (C), Pačinda (74. Kovařík) – Chorý (74. Bakoš), Beauguel.

Wuhan: Xinyao – Bowen, Ao (65. Zhiwei), Yueming, Haoran – Hang (C), M'Bia, Zhuang (60. Xiaoxing) – Kouassi, da Silva, Zhenjie.

Goals: 26. Pačinda – 61. Kouassi, YC: Ao.

Both teams rushed in the match very actively. In the 5th minute Milan Havel crossed the ball in front of goal where Jean-David Beauguel run towards the ball, however, his effort was stopped by Chinese defensive line. On the other side da Silva’s rebounded shot was headed over the crossbar by Li Yueming. In the 23rd minute Kayamba crossed the ball and Viktorians were very close to goal thanks to Li Hang’s effort. He almost scored an own goal but the goalkeeper Xinyao saved this dangerous situation. 3 minutes later Plzeň could rejoice. Matúš Kozáčik set an amazing action by a long kick to Kayamba who passed the ball to Erik Pačinda, the latter one finally scored – 1-0.

Kayamba also participated in the next great chance when his quick crossed ball found Beauguel who headed just close to an upright. Viktoria won the first half over Chinese team 1-0.

At the beginning of the second half Kouassi appeared in a promising chance, nevertheless, his shot flew off the target. Patrik Hrošovský aimed to similar place on the other side. Under strong breeze and fine rain Wuhan finally equalized the score. After a corner Jean Ervard Kouassi headed the ball to a closer upright. Plzeň were craving for taking the lead back but Pačinda missed the target.

In the 68th minutes Chinese defence made an error and Kayamba counterattacked together with Pačinda but his shot was stopped by returning Stéphane M'Bia. A few minutes later the goalkeeper Jia Xinyao saved Beauguel’s nice header. At the end of the match Vrba’s team had a chance to change the final result but Havel shot off goal so the score remained 1-1.

Pavel Vrba’s Commentary

 “We faced the team of a different level than the ones we played against at home…Our game was satisfying but it had one fault – we could decide the match in the second half, we had about four chances but missed all of them. It fulfilled exactly what we needed. I’m happy with the match, especially with the second half,“ he said.