In the last friendly match before the spring league part Viktoria met an American team New England Revolution in Marbella. Although the opponent was leading for two goals, Viktoria reduced the score and finally tied 2-2.

Mid-season, Fri 1st Feb 2019, 15:00, Marbella Football Center

Plzeň: Hruška – Havel, Hejda, Hubník (46. Pernica), Limberský (67. Ekpai) – Procházka, Hrošovský (67. Hořava) – Petržela (82. Bucha), Čermák (67. Bakoš), Kovařík (46. Kayamba) – Chorý (46. Beauguel).

New England: 1st half-time: Cropper – Freitas, Farrell, Delamea Mlinar, Castillo – Buchanan, Herivaux, Caldwell, Penilla – J. F. Caicedo (31. Bunbury), Gil. 
2nd half-time: Knighton – Bye, Mancienne, Anibaba, Somi – Jones, Zahibo, Caldwell (61. Angking), Rennicks – Bunbury (61. Wright), Fagúndez.

Goals: 82. Beauguel (pen.), 85. Hořava – 35. Penilla, 73. Wright, Referees: Mazuela – Sanchez Palomo, Sanchez.

The first bigger opportunity was directed by Viktorians in the 10th minute. Kovařík’s crossed ball bounced to Petržela who prolonged it behind the box to Patrik Hrošovský – however, his shot was rebounded by goalkeeper Cody Cropper on  a corner. On the other side a few minutes later Gila headed inaccurate ball to Juan Fernando Caicedo. In the 26th minute after a corner by Kovařík Aleš Čermák had an effort on goal but the goalkeeper was ready.

New England got in lead in the 35th minute. After a break through on the left side midfielder Cristian Penilla scored the opening goal of the match. Tomáš Chorý could equalize when appearing alone in front of the goalkeeper but Cody Cropper saved his attempt and kept being a huge support for his team from New England. Before the break Teal Bunbury threatened Viktoria’s goal but this time Aleš Hruška caught it and secured only one goal leading of our opponent.

Pavel Vrba substituted three players for the second half - Kayamba, Pernica and Beauguel. The latter had a great chance on goal but his effort was stopped by an upright. The opponent with completely new line-up for the second half was also dangerous but Hruška destroyed Diego Fagúndez’s trying. Later Beauguel was very active again but headed the ball closely above the crossbar.

In the 67th minute Viktorians replaced another three players – Ekpai, Bakoš and Hořava went in. 6 minutes later the American team increased their leading to two goals when Brian Wright scored after Fagúndez’s pass. Soon after this situation Viktorians hit the upright for the second time during the match. With the end of the match approaching Marek Bakoš was fouled in the box and then Viktorians were awarded a penalty kick. Jean-David Beauguel scored and then Petržela was substituted by Pavel Bucha.

Plzeň put pressure on their opponent and finally equalized. Kayamba crossed the ball to Tomáš Hořava who scored in the 85th minute – 2-2! Kayamba could even turn the score on our side but missed the target. The match finished by a tie 2-2.

Dušan Fitzel’s Commentary

“We’re not very happy with the tie but we were more interested in the game style,“ Fitzel points out right at the beginning of the interview. “In the first half the opponent surprised us and there weren’t things we’d like to see. We changed the line-up for the second half and had more chances, the match fulfilled its purpose but we’d feel better to win,“ he closes his evaluation of the match.