Recap
Back To Winning Ways
The Dragoons made a triumphant return to home soil with a commanding 3-0 win over Iskra Radwanowice on a bright Saturday afternoon.
Hugo Cruz kept faith in his trusted 4-3-3, with Marcin Obyrtacz continuing in goal. Michael Lamb made his first start of the season, replacing the suspended Simon Calabrese alongside Kuba Drobny at centre-back, while Roman Bilovol and Szymon Urzędowski operated as full-backs.
In midfield, Rohit Chandran slotted in alongside Enrico Forabosco and Rob Smits. Up front, Yuri Samyonov returned to lead the line, flanked by Martin Voženílek and Jan Kołodziejski.
🐉 MATCHDAY XI 🐉
The Dragoons are back at home as they take on Iskra Radwanowice in what promises to be a tough test 💥
Here’s how the team lines up 👇
🧤 GK: 🇵🇱
🛡️ DEF: 🇦🇷 🇵🇱 🏴 🇵🇱
⚙️ MID: 🇮🇳 🇫🇮/🇮🇹 🇳🇱
🔥 FWD: 🇨🇿 🇮🇱 🇵🇱#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/MFVpASvZ24— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) April 12, 2025
Kick Off
The Expats started brightly and could have taken the lead in just two minutes. Good defensive work from Voženílek saw him win the ball back in his own half, playing a one-two with Rohit Chandran before bursting down the right wing. The Czech crossed into the box to find Rob Smits, however, the Dutchmeester could not adjust his feet quick enough and sent the ball wide when well placed.
Despite starting the game well and having the better possession, it was the visitors who had the ball in the net on 8 minutes. Thankfully, the official on the side line had raised their flag in the build up rule out the strike.
As the game progressed, neither side could get the upper hand. The Dragoons had pressed well denying Iskra time on the ball, but had struggled to make any territorial gains to endanger the visitors goal.
The Expats had to wait until the 28th minute before they tested the opposition keeper for the first time. Patient build up play saw the Expats get forward well. Kuba Drobny slotted a pass to Smits who in turn found Kołodziejski on the edge of the box. The forward turned well and hit a low shot at goal, but lacked the power to trouble the Iskra shot-stopper.
Dragoons Lead
Just two minutes later, the Expats deservedly took the lead. The Dragoons turned defence into attack in quick succession, with Urzędowski’s quick forward pass finding Chandran in space in the middle of the pitch. The Indian whirlwind drew the attention of three defending players and found a gap to put Kołodziejski through on goal. The Pole timed his run to perfection and applied a calm finish to notch his second goal of the season.
🎯 GOAL! 🐉
Jan Kołodziejski 🇵🇱 gave the Dragoons the lead on Saturday.
Rohit Chandran 🇮🇳 threaded a perfect ball through the defence, and Jan made no mistake, calmly slotting past the keeper to make it 1-0!
📽️ Watch the goal below 👇#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/oOXWrp2AUa
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) April 14, 2025
Lead Doubled
The Dragoons continued to dominate the ball and nabbed a second goal just before the break. Enrico Forabosco saw a corner kicked punched straight back to him by the visiting custodian. The midfield magician set himself before arching the ball towards the far post for a second time. On this occasion, the ball fell on a plate for Kołodziejski who saw his headed effort saved point blank by the keeper. However, Yuri Samyonov made an exodus from the opposition defence, reacting quickest to find freedom in the six yard box and fittingly marked the start of Passover by tucking the ball into an unguarded net.
💥 THE SECOND! 🐉
Yuri Samyonov 🇮🇱 doubles the lead for the Dragoons!
The striker was quickest to react to the loose ball inside the 6-yard box, tucking the ball home into an unguarded net💪🔥
📽️ Watch the moment unfold 👇#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/WnGCaX8kpo
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) April 14, 2025
Shortly after, the half time whistle sounded with the Expats 2-0 ahead as the sides went into the break. The Expats had been worthy leaders, enjoying large periods of dominance. However, indecision in the final third had seen the Expats struggle to find the final pass far too often.
Second Half
Iskra started the half on the front-foot and looked to find their way back into the game. However, it was the Dragoons who had the first chance of the half through Kołodziejski. The attacker received a pass from Smits and lashed a shot a powerful shot at goal. Unfortunately, the Pole could not double his tally for the day and saw his effort drop wide of the target.
In the 57th minute, Iskra thought they had pulled a goal back. A low free-kick found its way to the far post and an Iskra man tucked the ball home. However, he had moved ahead of the Expats’ defence and the linesman’s flag once again ruled out a goal for the visitors.
Changes Made
The Expats struggled to get their foot on the ball as the away side looked to get back into the game. Iskra had controlled the early stages and Hugo Cruz made two changes on 65 minutes in an attempt to arrest control of the ball. Goalscorers Yuri Samyonov and Jan Kołodziejski made way and Vałdzis Fuhaš and Stiven Campo entered play.
Campo’s first involvement came moments after his introduction. The Colombian knocked the ball on to find Enrico Forabosco in space in the outfield. The Italian let fly with a rasping low effort that flew marginally wide of the goal.
Penalty Dragoons
A minute later, the Dragoons had a great chance to further extend their lead after Martin Voženílek was tripped in the box. Rob Smits stepped up to take spot kick, but his effort was a nice height for the keeper, who dived to his right to save.
In the 76th minute, the Dragoons had the ball in the net for a third time. Stiven Campo’s powerful effort was well saved by the Iskra keeper, with Vałdzis Fuhaš getting onto the rebound. The forward headed the ball into an unguarded net, only to see his effort ruled out for offside.
Straight after the decision, Hugo Cruz made a double change to bring fresh legs into the midfield. Enrico Forabosco and Rob Smits both departed, with Corneille Malonga and Emre Çolakoğlu joining the game.
Game, Set and Match
Çolakoğlu made his presence felt almost instantly in the 81st minute. The Turkish man-mountain cleverly ducked under a throw to lose an opponent and sent a pass down the wing for Voženílek to chase on the counter. The Czech winger played a first-time pass to Fuhaš to put the forward through on goal. Fuhaš struck low at goal and saw his well struck effort saved by an outstretched leg of the keeper. However, Rohit Chandran got to the ball first and took a touch before calmly side-footing a shot into the net for his third goal of the campaign.
⚡ GOAL THREE!
A blistering counter attack from the Dragoons! 🐉
Martin Voženílek 🇨🇿 played Vałdzis Fuhaš 🌏 in on goal, & although his shot was saved, Rohit Chandran 🇮🇳 was first to react and smashed home the rebound! 💥
📽️ Watch the goal below!#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/5Jfsqcr8dh
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) April 14, 2025
The Indian whirlwind made way straight after the goal along with Michael Lamb as Gracjan Bałuch and Josh Dawson came on for the last 8 minutes.
After a nondescript final few moments, the game came to an end with the Dragoons picking up the points. The Expats had done their best work in the first half and struggled to really get their foot on the ball in the second. However, they had defended well when called upon and gained a valuable clean sheet.
🏅 MAN OF THE MATCH 🏅
Rohit Chandran 🇮🇳 was everywhere on Saturday! The Indian Whirlwind 🌪 capped off a superb performance with a goal and an assist to help drive the Dragoons to victory 🐉⚽️
Electric on the ball and tireless off it—Rohit led by example! 👏🔥#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/tbm7WMLqzO
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) April 14, 2025
Next Up
The Expats travel to face Płomień Jerzmanowice next Saturday. In the reverse fixture, the Dragoons earned a 3-1 win, with goals from Yuri Samyonov, debutant Fernando Gamez, and Bartek Chowaniec. Płomień currently sit second from bottom, with just two wins, two draws and 13 defeats this season.
