MFK Karviná achieved a surprising 3-0 victory over FC Viktoria Plzeň in the Czech Cup on Thursday, March 5, 2026, eliminating Plzeň from the competition.
The win marks Karviná’s first spring victory and was characterized by a significant increase in scoring efficiency. The team converted five out of their shots into goals, a stark contrast to previous performances.
According to Jarolím, the team’s coach, the first goal proved to be a decisive factor in the match. “The determining factor turned out to be the first goal. You can’t always rely on it, but it’s incredibly essential,” he said. “We’ve seen that ourselves in the league, where in all five matches we had the first chance, but the opponent scored.”
Karviná employed a two-striker formation with Ezeh and Vinícius, supported by Ayaosi, in an effort to bolster their attack. “We believed that they would give the team confidence that we could break the scoring deadlock. That with quality players up front, we could get through their high defense,” Jarolím explained.
Ayaosi scored the opening goal for Karviná, and as well provided the assists for Labík and Kačor. Despite acknowledging Ayaosi’s overall performance wasn’t flawless, Jarolím emphasized the importance of results. “However, his performance wasn’t ideal. He had situations he didn’t resolve as we’re used to, but with these players, we count on numbers, and efficiency. And that was there,” he stated.
This victory marks the first time Karviná has reached the semi-final stage of the domestic cup competition. However, Jarolím cautioned against overconfidence, stressing the importance of their upcoming league match against Pardubice on Sunday. “It’s a great success for the club, but we mustn’t forget that we play a league match against Pardubice on Sunday and we must confirm this great result,” he emphasized. “We can’t afford to prioritize the cup, we must and want to perform well in the league too.”
Despite a recent string of five consecutive league losses, Jarolím expressed confidence in the team’s ability to compete on both fronts. “The team is ready to handle both. The nearest goal is Pardubice, then Olomouc, and then we will go with enthusiasm to the semi-finals, because it can be a lifetime experience for all of us,” he said.
Jarolím also expressed gratitude for the support from the fans, particularly the chants of his name before the match. “I heard it and thought I was hearing things wrong, because there are more Marks in the club. It made me happy and pleased me. Thank you very much to the fans. It is a historic moment for the club and the city, so I am glad to be a part of it, I am grateful that I can coach the league. And I believe that the journey is not over yet, that we can move it on,” he said.
The semi-final draw is scheduled for March 13, 2026, with Karviná, Ostrava, Jablonec, and Mladá Boleslav remaining in contention.
Jarolím believes the unexpected results in the cup reflect the overall competitiveness of the league. “After those results, I thought that for Plzeň this would be a key match. It was probably their only chance for a trophy. It turns out that the league is level and when a team is not fully focused, surprises can happen. It’s interesting for fans that teams that might not normally be in the spotlight can have a really great season,” he concluded.
