Recap
Last-Gasp Heartbreak!
Football can be incredibly cruel. On a day when the Dragoons matched the league leaders blow for blow, it was two penalties and a last-kick sucker punch that separated the sides in a gut-wrenching end to a fiercely contested encounter.
Line-Up
The Expats made two changes to the starting eleven following a disappointing defeat to Zieleńczanka II Zielonki.
🐉 LINE UP 🐉
The Dragoons are back in action this afternoon as they take on Sportowiec Modlniczka! 💪⚽
Here’s the lineup selected by Head Coach Hugo Cruz 🇵🇹 👇
🧤 GK: 🇵🇱
🛡️ DEF: 🇦🇷 | 🇵🇱 | 🇮🇹 | 🇵🇱
⚙️ MID: 🇨🇩 | 🇮🇹 | 🇳🇱
🔥 FWD: 🇨🇿 | 🇮🇱 | 🇮🇳#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/YKr3XwOhSX— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) May 11, 2025
Marcin Obyrtacz remained between the posts, with the back four unchanged.
Enrico Forabosco missed out through injury, allowing Danilo Birbiglia to return from his own spell on the sidelines to slot into midfield alongside Rob Smits and Corneille Malonga.
In attack, Rohit Chandran replaced Vałdzis Fuhaš. The Indian winger joined Martin Voženílek and Yuri Samyonov to spearhead the front three.
Kick-Off
The Dragoons began brightly and carved out a golden chance within four minutes. A trademark Chandran run saw the winger glide past defenders and slip in Szymon Urzędowski with a skilful backheel. The utlityman put a the ball across goal to find Smits completely unmarked. The Dutchmeester, usually deadly, had a glorious opportunity to score but blazed over from close range.
Moments later, excellent pressing from Samyonov forced a turnover on the edge of the box. The Israeli attacker took on the shot from a tight angle, but the keeper denied him with a save at his near post.
The hosts responded immediately. A swift counter down the right flank found a Sportowiec attacker in space on the edge of the area. The Dragoons stood off, allowing a fierce shot that cannoned off the post — a real early warning sign.
The Hosts Take the Lead
Despite a promising start, the hosts drew first blood in much to the frustration of the Expats. On 9 minutes, a soft penalty was awarded, much to the disbelief of the Dragoons bench. Obyrtacz had no chance as the spot-kick was calmly dispatched for 1–0.
The Expats nearly responded instantly. A loose ball in the box fell kindly for Birbiglia, but the Italian midfielder couldn’t keep his effort down, sending it high over the bar.
The game then entered a scrappy phase, with both defences on top and persistent fouls breaking up any rhythm.
Dragoons Penalty!
On 35 minutes, the Dragoons were handed a lifeline. Martin Voženílek’s cross struck an opponent’s arm, and the referee pointed to the spot. Smits stepped up but saw his tame penalty saved as the keeper guessed right and pushed the effort to safety.
Just before the break, Kuba Drobny climbed highest to meet a deep free-kick, forcing a fine fingertip save from the keeper to preserve the lead.
The Expats entered the interval trailing, wondering how they were behind in a game that they had the better chances in.
Second Half
The Dragoons came out fired up and thought they had their equaliser early. High pressing from Smits and Malonga saw the former feed Samyonov, who rifled a shot into the top corner — only for the linesman’s flag to chalk off the goal.
🚨 DISALLOWED!
Yuri Samyonov 🇮🇱 lashed this one into the top corner — but the flag went up. 🟥🧐
Offside or robbed? 👀
🎥 Take a look and tell us what you think…⚖️ Right decision or harsh call?#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/Vtacba9BQz
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) May 14, 2025
Hugo Cruz turned to his bench, bringing on Jan Kołodziejski and Flavio Nkola for Samyonov and Birbiglia as the Expats looked to get back into the game.
However, the Dragoons struggled to find fluency and were repeatedly thwarted by a deep, disciplined defensive block from the hosts.
A further tactical shift saw the Expats switch to a back three, with Michael Syska-Lamb and Gracjan Bałuch replacing Roman Bilovol and Urzędowski.
Obyrtacz to the Rescue
With 15 minutes remaining, Sportowiec had two golden opportunities to kill the game off. But Obyrtacz stood tall, producing two vital saves to keep the Dragoons alive.
Then, in stoppage time, a final twist. A foul on the edge of the box gave the Dragoons a chance to launch one last attack. Emre Çolakoğlu’s delivery found Kuba Drobny at the far post. As the defender rose to head the ball, he was adjudged to have been wiped out by the keeper — penalty!
Rollercoaster of Emotions
Nkola took responsibility and made no mistake on this occasion, calmly slotting the ball beyond the stopper and into the net. The Expats erupted in celebration — a deserved equaliser, a crucial point. Or so it seemed…
🎯 Ice. Cold.
Flavio Nkola 🇦🇴 steps up in stoppage time and buries the equaliser from the spot! 🧊💥
The Dragoons thought they’d salvaged a hard-earned point… but the football Gods had other ideas. 💔#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/RqzWQ8uA6o
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) May 14, 2025
Straight from the restart, disaster struck. A hopeful long ball into the channel drew a clumsy foul on the edge of the box. From the resulting free-kick, the Dragoons failed to clear their lines, and the league leaders bundled home the winner with the final kick of the game.
A Shadow Over the Game
Tragically, the dramatic ending was tainted by an incident that has no place in football. Amid the home side’s celebrations, a racist comment was directed at Flavio Nkola. The incident was immediately reported to the referee, and the club stands fully behind our player. Such behaviour is wholly unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
As the final whistle blew, wild celebrations broke out from the home side, while Dragoons players sank to the turf in disbelief. You really couldn’t write it.
A painful end to a brave performance. The Dragoons can hold their heads high — but football remains a game of fine margins.
Four matches remain. The fight goes on.
🇮🇳 MAN OF THE MATCH 🇮🇳
A tough call, but Rohit Chandran claims the Dragoons MOTM 🏅
The Indian Whirlwind was a constant spark 💥 — showing leadership, maturity, and grit, pushing through pain to drive the team forward 👏🏾
Well done Ro! 👊🏾💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/bCTA72XQ0u
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) May 12, 2025
Next Up
The Dragoons return to Gronostajowa this Saturday for a rare home fixture, taking on bottom-of-the-table Orzeł Iwanowice.
The visitors have endured a tough campaign, with just two wins and two draws from their twenty-one matches, conceding a league-high 73 goals and scoring a division-low 26.
In the reverse fixture, the Expats cruised to a 5–1 victory with goals from Rohit Chandran, Roman Bilovol, Błażej Święcicki, Rob Smits, and Yuri Samyonov.
