FK Jablonec advanced to the UEFA Conference League play-off round after defeating RFS 2–1 away in Riga, securing a 4–1 aggregate victory following their 2–0 win in the first leg. According to regional coverage from Liberecká Drbna, Richard Sedláček opened the scoring in the fourth minute before Sebastian Nebyla added a penalty in the 22nd minute to firmly put the Czech side in control.
Early Strikes Settle the Leg in Riga
Jablonec wasted little time establishing their dominance in Riga, Latvia. Just four minutes into the match, Polidar slipped a back-pass from the left flank toward the edge of the penalty area. Sedláček met it with a low shot that bounced awkwardly ahead of RFS goalkeeper Matrevics, slipping through his gloves and into the net. The 27-year-old midfielder scored his first competitive goal in a Jablonec jersey since arriving from Teplice last year, as reported by České noviny.
The visitors doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute. Prenga stepped on Jawa’s foot from behind inside the penalty area, prompting the Israeli referee, Frid, to immediately point to the spot. Nebyla stepped up and calmly sent Matrevics the wrong way, notching his first goal of the season.
RFS Fightback Falls Short Despite Late Pressure
RFS, the leaders of the Latvian league, tried to claw their way back into the tie before halftime. Captain Žiga Lipušček headed a cross toward goal in the 26th minute, but Jablonec goalkeeper Jan Hanuš reacted quickly to parry it away. Lipušček eventually broke through in the 38th minute, meeting a corner kick from Zelenkovs to steer a precise shot past Hanuš inside the post. The goal marked the first time Jablonec conceded in four matches.
After the break, the Czech side dropped into a deeper defensive block. Hanuš was called into action twice late in the second half, denying a header from Panić in the 76th minute and stopping an even more dangerous opportunity from unmarked Jānis Ikaunieks shortly after. RFS finished the match with ten men after Aleksandar Filipović picked up two yellow cards in the span of four minutes, earning his marching orders in the 83rd minute.
Match Statistics and Lineups
RFS Riga 1–2 FK Jablonec (HT 1–2)
- Goals: 38. Lipušček – 4. Sedláček, 22. Nebyla (pen.)
- Yellow Cards: Panić, Saidy, Filipović – Sedláček, Vecheta
- Red Card: 83. Filipović
- Attendance: 1,674
- Aggregate Score: 1–4 (First leg: 0–2)
RFS Lineup: Matrevics – Filipović, Prenga, Lipušček, Zelenkovs – Saidy (84. Lemajić), Panić – Odišaria (84. Mankenda), Ikaunieks, Baldé (71. Sylla) – Ndjiki. Coach: Morozs.
Jablonec Lineup: Hanuš – Cedidla, Tekijaški, Pavlovič, Sláma – Nebyla (85. Vecheta), Sedláček – Čanturišvili (85. Souček), Zorvan (61. Růsek), Polidar (61. Suchan) – Jawo (78. Okeke). Coach: Kozel.
Next Opponents and Domestic Schedule Implications
Jablonec now advances to the final play-off round of the UEFA Conference League, where they will face the loser of the tie between Bialystok and Rangers FC. According to České noviny, the Severočeši will play the first leg away from home in one week. Domestically, Jablonec’s European run has prompted scheduling adjustments; their upcoming match away against Bohemians 1905, originally slated for the weekend, has been postponed to Wednesday, September 2.
Related reading
