Recap
Ruthless First Half Display
The Dragoons bounced back to winning ways with a dominant 4–1 victory over Orzeł Iwanowice, despite a lethargic second-half display.
Following the deflating last-gasp defeat against Sportowiec Modlniczka, the Dragoons fielded arguably their strongest XI in some time.
🌎STARTING LINE UP🌏
The Dragoons are back home and are after 3 points!
Here’s how Hugo Cruz 🇵🇹 sends the boys out today 👇
🧤 GK: 🇵🇱
🛡️ DEF: 🇦🇷 | 🇵🇱 | 🇮🇹 | 🇪🇸
⚙️ MID: 🇪🇸 | 🇫🇮/🇮🇹 | 🇮🇳
🔥 ATTACK: 🇨🇿 | 🇮🇱 | 🇦🇴COME ON BOYS!#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/5y8xGWKcoR
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) May 17, 2025
Marcin Obyrtacz continued between the posts, with Kuba Drobny and Simon Calabrese forming the centre-back pairing. Roman Bilovol slotted in at right back, while Alejandro Pascual was handed his first start for the club at left back, replacing the ever-reliable Szymon Urzędowski.
In midfield, Enrico Forabosco made a welcome return from injury to partner Rohit Chandran, with Fernando Gámez also returning to the side after a lengthy spell out. Rob Smits dropped to the bench, while Corneille Malonga missed out due to injury.
Up front, Martin Voženílek and Yuri Samyonov retained their places, with Flavio Nkola making his first start since the winter break.
Early Lead
Hugo Cruz’s side started brightly and took the lead with just three minutes on the clock. Enrico Forabosco opted for a short corner routine, playing the ball to Rohit Chandran, who whipped in a pinpoint cross. Kuba Drobny met the delivery with a deft flicked header that nestled into the top corner — a lightning start from the boys!
Set-Piece Success! 📐⚽
The perfect start against Iwanowice as Kuba Drobny 🇵🇱 rose highest to glance home a beauty from Rohit Chandran’s 🇮🇳 whipped cross🎯
🧠 Smart movement, 💪 solid connection, 🎯 top corner – an ideal early breakthrough for the boys!#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/N9NLSEkElJ
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) May 20, 2025
The Dragoons didn’t let up and pushed forward in search of a second. On five minutes, another corner dropped kindly for Simon Calabrese in the box. The Italian lashed a volley goalward but couldn’t find the target to extend the lead.
On nine minutes, things got worse for the hosts following a clash between Calabrese and the Orzeł keeper from a free-kick. The incident, though entirely accidental, left the goalkeeper clutching his ribs and unable to continue. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Lead Doubled
With 17 minutes on the clock, the Expats doubled their advantage. After Nkola was fouled on the edge of the area, Forabosco stepped up and curled a trademark beauty around the wall and into the net. Pure class from the midfield magician.
🪄 Forabosco Strikes Again! 🪄
Step aside, it’s that left foot again! 🎯
Enrico Forabosco 🇮🇹, the midfield magician, waved his wand and curled home a trademark free-kick to double our lead against Orzeł Iwanowice.
Take a bow, Enrico 👏#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/fpYlykTaoZ
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) May 20, 2025
The Dragoons continued their relentless siege and nearly added a third on 24 minutes. Martin Voženílek whipped in a cross that found Chandran waiting free on the edge of the box. The playmaker shifted onto his right foot and fired from distance, but his effort cleared the bar.
Moments after, Chandran found himself free in the box for another shot. However, on this occasion, the Indian could only send a tame effort straight into the arms of the keeper.
At the other end, Calabrese found himself in an awkward spot when his attempted clearance ricocheted off an opponent’s face, allowing the Orzeł attacker a clean run on goal. Fortunately, Obyrtacz got down well and tipped the shot wide.
The Magic Number
he third goal arrived in the 34th minute and was a fantastic team effort starting with Obyrtacz. Forabosco took the ball from Calabrese and fed Samyonov in the middle. The Israeli attacker threaded a pass through the defence to find Voženílek on the right flank. The Czech’s cross fell to Nkola, who couldn’t find a shot and instead laid it back to Samyonov. A clever pass from the forward found Gámez in space inside the box, and the Canarian King coolly side-footed the ball into the bottom corner. The score hit 3–0, a reflection of the Dragoons’ first-half dominance.
👑 Teamwork Makes the Dream Work👑
A beautiful flowing move from back to front, finished off with class by The Canarian King, Fernando Gámez 🇮🇨🇪🇸
A brilliant team goal that capped off a dominant first-half display and sent the Dragoons into the break 3–0 up! 💥⚽#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/NrBRqzzjNL
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) May 20, 2025
The Expats almost made it four minutes later when Forabosco latched onto Chandran’s perfectly weighted through ball. The Italian danced into the box and, with the keeper going to ground early, attempted a delicate dink that looked destined to score — only to rebound off the post.
Just before the break, Nkola was denied after another slick passage of play, with Chandran blazing the rebound over the bar. Despite the miss, the Dragoons went into half-time with a commanding 3–0 lead.
It had been an excellent first half from the Expats. They repeatedly won the ball high up the pitch and looked dangerous every time they surged forward.
Half Time
With the game seemingly safe, Hugo Cruz rang the changes at the interval — introducing Rob Smits, Stiven Campo, and Gracjan Bałuch for Forabosco, Voženílek, and Calabrese.
However, the second half began sloppily. Orzeł came out quickly, while the Dragoons struggled to regain their rhythm.
Orzeł Pull One Back
On 50 minutes, Orzeł earned a corner and immediately reduced the deficit. A delivery to the back post was headed across goal by an unmarked player, and another opponent ghosted in to nod the ball past Obyrtacz. A disappointing goal to concede during a sluggish start to the half.
Despite the drop in intensity, the Expats fashioned a golden chance on 57 minutes. Nkola laid the ball off to Samyonov, who took a touch and wonderfully found the run of Gámez. The Spaniard looked certain to score but dragged his shot wide from close range.
Changes Galore
More substitutions followed at the hour mark, with Emre Çolakoğlu, Szymon Urzędowski, and Vałdzis Fuhaš replacing Nkola, Gámez, and Smits. Unfortunately, the Dutchmeester pulled up with a groin issue and had to be withdrawn early.
With so many changes, the Dragoons lost their rhythm. The high pressing from the first half evaporated, and they struggled to keep possession. The game became disjointed, with neither side displaying much quality. It almost felt too easy, with the replacements unable to impose themselves.
Samyonov With The Fourth
But in the 81st minute, the Dragoons struck again. Chandran burst forward and found Campo, who played in Urzędowski down the right. The utility man squared the ball to Chandran just inside the box, and the playmaker unselfishly teed up Samyonov to tap home and restore the three-goal cushion at 4-1.
Finishing Touch 🔥👟🎯
Yuri Samyonov 🇮🇱 was on hand to slot home a late fourth after Rohit Chandran 🇮🇳 unselfishly squared across goal 🙌
It wasn’t the prettiest second half, but the Dragoons did enough to get over the line with a 4–1 win and all three points 💪#COYD💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/wRVMghUqfE
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) May 20, 2025
With five minutes left, the Expats should have had a fifth. Samyonov’s cross found Çolakoğlu in space on the edge of the box. The Turkish man-mountain bizarrely opted for a chipped finish instead of blasting it — sending his effort straight into the keeper’s gloves.
Moments later, the final whistle sounded, confirming three well-earned points for the Dragoons. While the second half lacked the energy and quality of the first, the result never felt in doubt.
🇮🇳 MAN OF THE MATCH 🇮🇳
Back-to-back MOTM awards for Rohit Chandran – fully deserved once again 🏅
The Indian whirlwind 🌪️ ran the show vs Orzeł with 2 assists and a tireless shift. Leadership, flair, and maturity 👊🏾🔥#COYD 💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/z9PXrmRehO
— Krakow Dragoons FC (@DragoonsFc) May 19, 2025
Next Up
The Dragoons now face a huge test as they travel to title-chasing Orzeł Bębło.
Bębło rose to the top of the table over the weekend after Sportowiec Modlnica suffered a dramatic injury-time defeat to Błękitni II.
The sides met earlier in the season in a game to forget for the Expats — a 5–1 defeat, with Vałdzis Fuhaš grabbing a late consolation.
The league leaders have been dominant all year, racking up 84 goals while conceding just 17 — the division’s fewest. Their record stands at 17 wins, 3 draws, and just 2 defeats.
A massive challenge awaits the boys!
