It is over… Viktorians, knowing they had secured the 2nd place, finished current 2018/2019 season with a tie 1-1 with Baník Ostrava. The hosts were soon in leading but the final result was equalized by Václav Procházka in second half so both teams divided the points.

play-offs, Sun 26th May 2019, 15:00, Doosan Arena

Plzeň: Kozáčik – Limberský, Pernica, Brabec, Kovařík – Hrošovský – Petržela (75. Štursa), Kayamba, Kolář (88. Hejda), Kopic – Beauguel (67. Bakoš)

Ostrava: Laštůvka – Fillo, Procházka, Stronati, Fleišman – Holzer, Jánoš, Jirásek (88. Meschaninov), Granečný (60. Kuzmanović) – Hrubý, Diop (84. O. Šašinka)

Goals: 5. Pernica – 66. Procházka, YC: Petržela, Beauguel – Fillo, Referees: Nenadál – Horák, Vodrážka.
Attendance: 7,787.

Viktorians started as most fans at the stadium wished. After a perfect pass by Honza Kovařík Luděk Pernica scored in the 5th minute, it was his first league goal for Viktoria. One moment later they could even increase the margin to two goals. Joel Kayamba performed excellent action in the midfield, then he passed to Milan Petržela who finally found Jean-David Beauguel. French sniper missed the target.

Viktorians appeared in all key moments of the match. Petržela had an effort on goal after Kopic’s elegant lob, however, he could not link to Beauguel and aimed his first attempt off the goal. 35-year-old midfielder enjoyed neither the moment later when shooting from the edge of the box because this attempt flew above the crossbar. At the end of first half Kayamba had also two chances but he did not change the score.

Kayamba had an opening chance of second half but even this time he could not celebrate a goal. About 60 minutes into the game Baník also threatened the goal, Adam Jánoš’s shot was stopped only by crossbar of Viktoria’s gate. On the other side experienced goalkeeper from Ostrava saved Kopic attempt, too.

In the 66th minute the visitors equalized. Dame Diop shot on goal but Matúš Kozáčik was ready this time and rebounded it off, however, the ball flew back to Baník and Václav Procházka pushed it behind goal line. Ostrava did not use their next opportunities. First, Jánoš did not trick Kozáčik, later, substitute Kuzmanovič aimed header off the goal.

None of the teams made any productive chance until the end. Viktoria finished the 2018/19 season by a tie 1-1 with Baník Ostrava.

Pavel Vrba’s Commentary

 “The end of the season was a bit complicated for us. We’ve got some injured players who could not play. Some of them continue their recovery, others has some injuries on long-term basis. Then we had three punished ones from the match against Liberec. Regarding these issues it was more difficult for us. However, we should have made this match mainly in the first half. We scored and had huge chances of Beauguel or Petržela, unfortunately we did not use them. Baník equalized in the same way as we got in leading,“ the coach did not look for any excuses.