The village of Horní Řepice, home to fewer than a thousand people, played host to a MOL Cup clash between local side FC Horní Řepice and storied Prague outfit Dukla. The match drew a record crowd of 1,100 — essentially the entire village turned out, joined by fans from neighbouring settlements, including a group of about twenty Dukla supporters decked out in the club's signature yellow and maroon.
Horní Řepice are newcomers to the Czech Football League (ČFL), currently going through the growing pains typical of a debutant side and yet to find their footing in the league table. That made the buzz ahead of facing a club whose ranks once included Czech football legends such as Josef Masopust, Petr Rada and Ladislav Vízek all the more electric.
The opening stretch of the match was surprisingly even: despite Prague's dominance in possession, it was the hosts who created the more dangerous chances early on. Yet they couldn't match their favoured opponents for long. In the 24th minute, Dukla captain Raimund Mikuš curled home a 30-metre free kick — the ball dipped sharply and nestled just under the crossbar, giving home goalkeeper Radek Stýblo no chance.
The goal rattled the hosts, and the experienced Dukla side pounced immediately. Just four minutes later, in the 28th minute, a swift run from Štěpán Šebrle led to a scramble in the box that Buba Djalló finished off. Four minutes after that, in the 32nd minute, Sief Ali Hindi — a constant threat throughout the match — made it 3:0. In effect, the outcome was sealed within just eight minutes of the first half.
The second half belonged entirely to the Prague side. In the 50th minute, Buba Djalló grabbed his second of the day to make it 4:0. Substitute Schánělec put the finishing touch on the scoreline in the 70th minute, sealing a final 5:0 win for the visitors.
There would be no cup upset in Horní Řepice — Dukla cruised into the next round of the competition. Still, according to club officials, facing one of the country's most decorated teams will remain an unforgettable occasion, both for the club and for the whole region.
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Source: pardubicky.denik.cz