Levski pegged back in frantic finale

A frantic finale at the Evzena Rosického stadium in Prague saw the UEFA Cup second round first-leg match between SK Slavia Praha and PFC Levski Sofia end 2-2 after both sides scored in added time.

Dramatic finish
Having largely been in control, Slavia founded themselves down to ten men five minutes from time when Karel Pitak was dismissed having collected two yellow cards in quick succession, and it seemed the visitors had made their numerical advantage count two minutes into added time when Telkiyski's cross was diverted beyond his own goalkeeper by Martin Müller. But with Levski still celebrating, the home side equalised immediately as the ball broke for substitute Pavel Fort to shoot beyond Radek Cerny.

Attacking start
The match began in open fashion, with both sides coming close to taking an early lead. First, Adauto Da Silva's low right-wing cross took a huge deflection off Levski defender Elin Topuzakov and rebounded off the crossbar with goalkeeper Dimitar Ivankov stranded. Just a minute later, the visitors might have had a crucial away goal, but Georgi Ivanov shot straight at Cerny when clean through.

Slavia success
The home side looked the more likely scorers, however, with Radek Bejbl heading straight at Ivankov and Pitak shooting over. The opening goal duly arrived in the 22nd minute, as a good passing move freed Lukás Dosek down the right. The defender's cross was flicked on by Da Silva, and Pavel Kuka had time and space to calmly sidefoot past Ivankov.

Ivanov in action
Levski responded well to falling behind and were nearly level within a minute as Omomigho Temile's low cross caused confusion in the goalmouth and Ivanov nearly took advantage, only to prod wide. The striker then headed just over four minutes later.

Kuka chance
The rest of the half belonged to the home side, who came close to doubling their advantage on a number of occasions. Pitak saw his shot gathered at the second attempt by Ivankov, before Kuka came close to scoring his and Slavia's second two minutes before half-time only to send his diving header wide with the goal at his mercy.

Disallowed goal
Slavia's Adam Petrous saw a second-half strike ruled out for offside, before Karel Kratochvil's volley was beaten away by Ivankov. The visitors made the home side pay for their earlier profligacy 13 minutes from time as Temile's shot was parried by Cerny, but fell kindly for Ivanov, who scored from close range at the second attempt. Despite the dramatic climax, both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Coaches frustrated
"We were punished for our silly mistakes," said Slavia coach Miroslav Beránek. "We had couple of chances after our first goal, but we did not convert any of them." He added that the absence of Pitak for the return on 27 November would be a problem. Levski coach Georgi Vasilev was also left frustrated. "Nothing is clear now and the great battle will continue in Sofia," he said.