Horní Riedice cruise past Chrudim in cup opener
Horní Riedice saw off Chrudim 3:0 in the Round of 128 of the Czech Cup on Tuesday afternoon. The hosts took the lead just before half-time when A. Novotny found the net, and they never looked back after the break. Two more goals followed in quick succession to seal a comfortable victory.
Novotny's strike came in the 45th minute, catching the defence off guard as the first half drew to a close. The visitors were unable to respond, and Horní Riedice extended their advantage in the 49th minute. By then, the momentum had shifted completely, and a third goal in the 52nd minute turned a comfortable lead into a statement of intent.
and here's the thing — it wasn't about possession. Horní Riedice controlled 63 percent of the ball, but what mattered was what they did with it. They registered four shots on target compared to Chrudim's three, and their 122 attacks dwarfed the visitors' 82. Efficiency over volume, that's how cup football often works.
to be fair, Chrudim weren't entirely toothless. They managed four shots off target and won two corners, but the difference was in the final third. The visitors' attacking numbers suggest they were probing, but they couldn't find the right pass at the crucial moment. Horní Riedice's defensive discipline kept them in the game until the goals started.
The result extends Horní Riedice's recent winning form. They beat Kolín 3:0 in their last outing and had a 1:0 victory over the same side back in February. Chrudim, meanwhile, picked up a 2:1 win against Brno in May, but this cup tie exposed the gap between the sides.
Two yellow cards for each team suggests a physical encounter, but nothing more serious was needed. The hosts will now look ahead to the next round, while Chrudim will have to reflect on a performance where chances were created but never converted. Cup football rewards those who take their moments, and Horní Riedice made them count.