Slovak under-21 football representatives drew 2:2 with their peers from Croatia in Thursday’s preparatory meeting in Nitra. The Slovaks led twice in the match thanks to Sebastián Nebyla and Adrián Kaprálik, but the visiting Franjo Ivanovič managed to tie the game in the 76th minute from a penalty kick.
You could watch the match Slovakia 21 – Croatia 21 ONLINE at Šport.sk >>
The 20-unit team still has a duel against their peers from the Czech Republic in the November association term. It will be played on Monday, November 20 in Hradec Králové (6 p.m.).
SLOVAKIA – Croatia 2:2 (2:1) Goals: 13. Nebyla, 42. Kaprálik – 16. Ljubičič, 76. Ivanovič (from 11 m). Judges: Karakó (Germany) – Straka, Štofik (both SR), ŽK: Jambor – Tikvič, Hodža
SR: Surovčík – Šikula, Leitner, Obert, Javorček – M. Sauer (83. Shudeiwa), Nebyla (89. Griger), Rigo (72. Riznič) – Kaprálik (83. Gaži), Jambor (83. Čerepkai), Veselovský (72. Bold)
Croatia: Silic – Lisica (62. Maurič), Katinič (80. Škaričič), Grozdanič (80. Živkovič), Bukvič – Biuk (80. Rak), Soldo (80. Zvonarek), Hodža, Vidovič (46. Ivanović) – Frigan (62. Tikvič), Ljubičič (62. Valinčič)
The guests could have taken the lead after 60 seconds, when Nebyla headed inaccurately in the penalty area, but Hodža did not punish his hesitation. In the passing game, in the 13th minute, even the Croatians were confused, when after a mistake by Grozdanič, Veselovský pulled the ball, whose cross was not held by Silic, and the ball fell right in front of Nebyla, who reacted promptly – 1:0. However, Croatia was able to react quickly when captain Ljubičič equalized less than two minutes later. After half an hour of play, the Slovakian team was stopped by goalkeeper Surovčík, who neutralized Frigan’s dangerous header. In the 42nd minute, Javorček ran into the penalty area and shot the crossbar, the ball bounced off him directly in front of the catching Kaprálik and the Slovak winger sent the Falcons into the lead.
The answer of the “firemen” could have been practically immediate again, but Surovčík pulled off another excellent save when Biuk finished. Shortly after the change of sides, the home team could have already led with a two-goal difference, but the crossbar helped Silič with Leitner’s header. In the 56th minute, Surovčík showed an excellent reading of the game, who noticed Leitner’s slip, immediately reacted by running against the escaping Croatian attacker and thwarted his chance to get a 100% chance. In the 75th minute, Šikula fouled the attacking Valinčič in the penalty area, and the referee ordered a penalty kick. Ivanovič put the ball on the white spot and gave Surovčík a chance with a sharp shot – 2:2.
Votes after the match
Jaroslav Kentoš, coach SR 21: “I’m satisfied with the performance. We showed the things we trained for, of course, there were also some shortcomings. It was a two-sided attacking match, it’s a shame that we didn’t score the third goal in the second half during a good part of the game.”
Adrián Kaprálik, winger SR 21: “I always play well in Nitra, because I score a lot of goals here, it’s probably my favorite stadium. The Croatians had a chance right at the beginning, we have to avoid that. But then we scored a goal after a beautiful move. But we fell asleep again and conceded the equalizer accurate strike. After the second goal, we had chances to bounce back against the opponent, but we didn’t take advantage of the good opportunities. Then we got a goal from the penalty, but I think it was beautiful football, which the fans must have liked.”
2023-11-16 17:51:00
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