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PRAGUE – One hit to the away defence brought vital three points for Slavia that preserved their five point advantage on the top of the Czech league table after round 17. It was Budejovice former playmaker Jaroslav Cerny who came to Slavia during the winter break who scored the winner six minute before the end.

Slavia had more possession and more chances during the entire course of the game, but always found Budejovice defence ready to withstand. The clearest chance of the first half belonged to Goce Toleski who received the pass from Milan Ivana but failed to beat the keeper Kucera though facing him clearly in the box.

It was Toleski again who hit the post from the free kick after the break and saw his attempt cleared by Kucera.

Slavia suffered two injuries during the game, David Strihavka and Marek Jarolim had to substitute due to injuries of eye and ankle.

The red-whites survived a clear chance of Budejovice when forward Strasky missed from a position when it was easier to score.

The decisive moment came on 84^th minute, Martin Latka found substitute David Kalivoda in the box, his pass was bounced away by keeper Kucera to Jaroslav Cerny who sent the ball to the back of the net.

„We went to the match aggresively and put the opponent under pressure, but Budejovice were able to prevent us from chances. We had one, and Toleski should have scored. But I am happy we managed to win the game in spite of two forced substitutions,“ Karel Jarolim said.

„We know that the second leg in London will be difficult. At least we might use Matej Krajcik who was banned for the first leg, but we are not sure if we would be able to use two freshly injured players,“ coach Karel Jarolim said.

The scorer Jaroslav Cerny was happy. „We have three points, this is the most important fact of the evening. Now we travel to London, and achieving promotion would be a miracle, but we have nothing to lose and will try to get as good result as possible.“

Slavia 1 – 0 Ceske Budejovice
Goal: 84. Cerny
Slavia: Vaniak - Krajcik, Brabec, Latka, Drizdal – Jarolim (54. Kalivoda), Tavares (72. Suchy), Abraham, Cerny - Toleski, Strihavka (25. Ivana)
Ceske Budejovice: Kucera – Zizka (82. Smid), Hunal, Homolac, Peroutka – Mezlik (78. Pivonka), Hilek, Vozabal, Mrkvicka (86. Svatek), Sima – Strasky
Booked: Toleski – Homolac, Kucera
Attendance: 2, 339

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Matchday programme Polocas, 3.17 MB
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