Zlín, Czech Republic – The women’s football team at FC Zlín is entering a new chapter with the appointment of Josef Janeček as their new head coach. The change comes as the club aims to build a more integrated program between its women’s and youth squads, focusing on a possession-based style of play.
The transition follows the departure of Radoslav Rojko, who has moved to coach the WU13 team. Janeček, previously the coach of the club’s youth teams, takes the helm with a clear vision for the future. He will be assisted by Antonín Kadlčák, who remains in his role and newly added Pavel Omelka. According to club representative Pavel Sklenář, this restructuring is designed to create a more cohesive approach to player development across both the senior women’s team and the youth setup.
“Both teams will now have joint training sessions, and while the women’s squad was previously supplemented by less-utilized youth players, the teams will now be more interconnected, with the senior squad bolstered by promising young talents from the youth ranks whenever possible,” Sklenář explained.
The team’s winter preparations began on January 14th, after initial plans for a January 9th start were thwarted by frozen pitch conditions. Training sessions have been consistently held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays throughout January and February, building fitness and tactical understanding ahead of the spring season.
A series of friendly matches served as valuable preparation for the competitive season. In early February, Zlín secured a 3-2 victory against Lokomotiva Brno’s under-19 team in Pohořelice. They followed this with an impressive 4-0 win over Topolčany, a team competing in the first Slovak Women’s League, in Bánovce nad Bebravou, Slovakia, in mid-February. Most recently, in mid-March, they defeated Medlánek, a team from the Czech division, by a score of 6-1. A further training match saw them overcome Holešovské holky 8-4. These matches notably featured a blend of senior and youth players, with WU15 players Liliana Beňová, Vanesa Janečková, and Klára Kudláčková all making appearances, with Janečková and Kudláčková scoring their first goals for the women’s team.
However, the team has also experienced significant roster changes. Several players have departed, including goalkeepers Michaela Matlachová and Eliška Zelinková. Defender Michaela Novotná has returned to Březůvky, while midfielder Michaela Tomečková has joined 1. FC Slovácko. Petra Komárková, Vendula Woláková, and Adriana Šafářová have all moved to Sigma Olomouc, and forwards Nikol Kočendová (also to 1. FC Slovácko) and Magda Žalková have retired due to health reasons. The club has welcomed reinforcements in the form of midfielder Adéla Chodurová, returning from Spartak Myjava, and midfielder Eliška Majerechová, back from Dukla Prague. Goalkeeper Aneta Caisbergerová has joined from TJ Sokol Holasovice.
Looking ahead to the spring season, the team’s ambition is to play attractive, possession-based football. The coaching staff wants to create a style of play that is enjoyable for the players and emphasizes keeping the ball. “We want to play combination football, to be on the ball as much as possible, and for the players to enjoy the game and have fun,” Sklenář stated.
The primary goal for the spring is to stabilize the team and integrate players across both the 3rd Moravian-Silesian Women’s League and the 2nd Youth League. Sklenář acknowledged the challenge posed by Jihlava, currently two points ahead in the Moravian-Silesian League, but expressed confidence in their ability to compete. He also highlighted the competitive nature of the 2nd Youth League, aiming for a high finish in the standings.
FC Zlín will kick off their spring campaign with an away match against Prostějov on Sunday, March 29th, at 4:15 PM local time (UTC+1).
FC ZLÍN’S SPRING SCHEDULE – 3RD MORAVIAN-SILESIAN WOMEN’S LEAGUE:
Sunday, March 29th: Prostějov – FC Zlín (4:15 PM)
Saturday, April 4th: FC Zlín – Třebíč (2:00 PM)
Saturday, April 11th: Uherský Brod – FC Zlín (10:00 AM)
Saturday, April 18th: FC Zlín – Jihlava (5:00 PM)
Sunday, April 26th: Hodonín – FC Zlín (3:00 PM)
Sunday, May 3rd: FC Zlín – Prostějov (4:00 PM)
Sunday, May 10th: Třebíč – FC Zlín (3:00 PM)
Saturday, May 16th: FC Zlín – Uherský Brod (5:00 PM)
Sunday, May 24th: Jihlava – FC Zlín (4:00 PM)
Sunday, May 31st: FC Zlín – Hodonín (3:00 PM)
The changes at FC Zlín represent a strategic effort to foster a stronger connection between the club’s youth and senior teams, aiming for a sustainable and successful future for women’s football in the region. The team’s focus on a possession-based style of play and player development will be key to their ambitions in both the Moravian-Silesian League and the Youth League.
What are your thoughts on the new direction for FC Zlín’s women’s team? Share your predictions for their spring season in the comments below!
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