Plzeň Holds Firm in Hradec Králové: Battling 0:0 Draw Ends with Red Card for Visitors

In a Czech First League round 5 clash, Hradec Králové and Viktoria Plzeň played out a goalless 0:0 draw. The match was played in pouring rain, and in the 90th minute the visitors were reduced to ten men after defender Vráca was sent off.

The result was a frustrating one for Hradec: the club has now gone eight matches in a row without beating Plzeň in the top flight, with their last win over Viktoria dating back to March (0:3). To make matters worse, the hosts also saw their eight-match home winning streak come to an end.

Hosts pressed but couldn't find the net

Hradec dominated the opening half-hour, keeping their opponents well away from goal. In the 15th minute, Trubač broke through one-on-one with the keeper, but Viele reacted instinctively and made the save. Shortly after, home captain and Plzeň academy product Darida — playing his 100th Czech league match — nearly caught the Austrian goalkeeper out with a direct shot from the flank.

Plzeň didn't seriously threaten the Hradec goal until the 33rd minute, when a 25-meter strike from Memić forced Zadražil into his first save of the match. Just before the break, the home goalkeeper also comfortably dealt with a header from Slončík.

Second half and a red card

The rain kept falling after the restart, and Plzeň came out for the second half with two substitutions, looking noticeably sharper. In the 51st minute, substitute Kabongo nearly opened the scoring with a header, but Zadražil was equal to it.

The game then evened out, with chances becoming scarce at both ends. The hosts upped the tempo again only in the closing stages: in the 79th minute, Darida struck the crossbar and post from a well-worked move, and moments later Trubač came close as well, his deflected shot flying just centimeters wide.

The decisive moment came in the 90th minute, when Slovak defender Vráca brought down Umar inside his own penalty area. Referee Černý showed him a red card after confirming the decision on VAR review. For the Plzeň newcomer, it was his second sending-off since joining the club.

For Hradec, who beat Sparta 2:1 on Sunday, the draw against another of their traditional rivals extends an uncomfortable trend — they still haven't beaten Viktoria at home in six straight meetings.

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Source: sport.cz