Another double match ticked off the list on the way to the Champions league! In the 3rd preliminary round of the Champions League, Viktoria defeated Sheriff Tiraspol 2:1, just like in the first match. There’s just one more step ahead for the Michal Bílek’s squad on the way to the most prestigious football club competition in the world and for making a dream come through.

The Viktorians could not have imagined a better start to the match, as they immediately scored right from their opening chance! Lukáš Kalvach came up with a great pass to Jan Kopic, he played it to Tomáš Chorý and his clever pass landed just at Jan Kliment’s feet. And he did not miss. The lead could have doubled 27 minutes later, as Tomáš Chorý was pulled down in the penalty box. “Choras” himself took the penalty kick, but he missed the goal and wasted a great opportunity.

The West Bohemians kept going and were definitely the more active team on the pitch. Lukáš Kalvach tried a mid-range shot, but he missed the goal guarded by Razak Abalora. Even though the lead could have been bigger, the Viktorians went to the cabins happier than the opponent with a well-deserved 1:0 lead.

The start of the second half was really turbulent. Just after a minute of play, Sheriff got a penalty kick chance because of Milan Havel’s handball. Unlike the home team, Tiraspol was successful as Ibrahim Akanbi Rasheed scored from the penalty kick just like in the first match. Viktoria could have taken the lead back immediately, but Jan Kopic’s first shot was blocked by the Tiraspol defense and the second one was brilliantly saved by Abalor.

The pace of the match was truly exciting, the chances were seen on both sides as Jindřich Staněk had to pull off two excellent saves in matter of seconds! In the first case, Salifu Mudasiru shot hard from the penalty box line and the Pilsen goalkeeper flew through the air and stopped the ball. The second save was even more difficult, as Staněk showed quick reflex just at the goal line after a header by Abou Ouattara.

The West Bohemians got out of the opponent´s pressure in the best possible way! Lukáš Kalvach’s corner landed right on the foot of Jhon Mosquera and the home team was in the lead again, right after 60 minutes of play. But Staněk had to save his team once again on the other side, as he stopped Tejan’s shot. Rasheed took the rebound, but Lukáš Kalvach filled in for the goalkeeper and saved the day.

Thus, Viktoria Pilsen managed to win 2:1 against Sheriff Tiraspol in the 3rd preliminary round of the Champions League. There’s just one more step to take in order to squeeze in the group stage. But it’s definitely going to be the most difficult one so far!