Week 4: Sunny Spain and Asian opponents
31.1.2016, Redakce
SAIN/MARBELLA – The mid-season preparation continues on natural grass in Andalusia. The warm and sunny weather, two wins against Asian opponents, that was weak four.
First test for the red-whites were Chinese Jiangsu Suning F.C.. The opponent scored the opener in 24th minute when Sergio Escudero’s shot was too far for Martin Berkovec to catch ending behind his back. Quick response came three minutes later when Zmrhal set-up an opportunity for Železník and Slavia’s striker didn’t miss. Milan Škoda gave Slavia 2-1 lead over Suning with a header on a corner cross in the 40th minute. He added his second goal during the second half after a precise pass from Mikula. In 62nd minute netted fourth goal Zmrhal and the fifth and last came in 79th minute. Goalkeeper Gu anticipated Mešanovič’s shot and blocked it but only towards Barák who scored his first goal for Slavia. “I am glad how the players dealt with the almost thirty-degree difference. We are satisfied with the new reinforcements, they are working hard and they want to play, which is positive,” said Dušan Uhrin after the 5-1 win.
The Friday match against South Korean runner-up Samsung Suwon Bluewings was full of fine opportunities but only Lukáš Železník succeeded. After a great work of Tomáš Jablonský, Železník received the ball and scored a goal from a volley. Slavia missed Jaroslav Mihalík and Zdeněk Linhart. “They train individually at the moment but we would like to see them on the pitch in the remaining friendlies,” revealed Petr Čuhel and summarised the match. “This was a higher quality opponent than Suning and we are glad that we defended well. On the other hand, we missed to many great chances,” frowns the assistant coach.