Report by Barbora Klímová
The Raptors ladies traveled to Pavlíkov this weekend and from the beginning, they were the better team. They presented themselves with a high pressure during the first half, the defensive line was compact and played very well. So did the midfielders and attackers who caused a lot of problems to the defensive line of the opponent.
Pavlíkov had problems to get closer to the goal of Raptors and had to try shooting from longer distances. In 23’, Raptors scored – Antonyová moved the ball very smartly to a free space near the goal of Pavlíkov where the Raptors winger Lyvia Chapman took the ball and did not miss. The half-time score was 1 – 0 for the Raptors and everything seemed to be very promising.
In the second half, the opponent changed their tactics, some of the players switched positions and their performance improved a lot. They equalized the game and scored in 67’. Since then, they had some more chances to score but the Raptors ladies did not allow them to score – mainly thanks to amazing saves by Maria Orozco, the goalkeeper and lady of the match – the Raptors Ladies take their first away point! Final score 1 – 1.
The Raptors men could not imagine a better start to a match against the team of a real legend of a Czech football, Vladimír Šmicer, the winner of Champions League in 2005 and former SK Slavia Praha player.,,,
The teams went into the game second and third in the divison, but the Raptors men started the game very brightly and scored in 5’ thanks to Tim Sommer during a great first 10 minutes display. However, during the first half, Dolní Chabry equalized as the Raptors players became more nervous - the finish was a great free-kick from the edge of the box
In the second half Chabry grabbed the winner and though the Raptors men tried hard to get create chances they struggled to have many real efforts on goal.
Though Šmicer did not play, he could be proud of his teammate’s performance. Well played by Dolní Chabry for inflicting the first league defeat on the Raptors men, but we are staying focused with our heads up!
We would like to thank to Vladimír Šmicer who stayed for a while after the match to talk a little with the Raptors players and staff. It was an amazing experience for the whole Raptors family!
Ladies
Final Score: SK Pavlíkov 1 – 1 Raptors Prague
Goals: Kieryková - Chapman.
Raptors line-up: Orozco (GK) – Tafech, Marshall, Klímová, Gaspers – Sammarco – Abreu, Rodgers – Osterthun ©, Antonyová, Chapman. Subs: Stevenson, McCann, Santos, Hautala.
Lady of the match: Maria Orozco
Men's
Final Score: SK Dolní Chabry 2 – 1 Raptors Prague
Goals: Červenka J., Gottwald - Sommer
Raptors line-up: Oosterling (GK) – Gardie © (46’ David), Martín, Orlov, Jeunet – Argent – Chiodi (77’ Davies), Guzman (46’ Seyri) – Essa (64’ Yassien), Burlefinger, Sommer.
Man of the match: Arij Oosterling