Late Heroics Propel Žďár nad Sázavou Past Velké Meziříčí in Tight Divize D Race

At Stadión U Tržiště, on an autumn afternoon when the league table offered no daylight between fifth and seventh, Žďár nad Sázavou delivered a performance that belied their place behind Velké Meziříčí, snatching a 2-1 victory defined by resilience, timely finishing, and defensive steel in the closing stages.

The script had promised a close encounter. Both teams entered Sunday’s contest with 16 points from 10 games, their records nearly identical—4 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses apiece—reflecting not just parity on paper but the kind of competitive tension that animates the heart of the Czech fourth tier. Streaks had shaped the recent weeks: Velké Meziříčí’s unbeaten run stretched five matches (2 wins and 3 draws), while Žďár nad Sázavou, though more draw-prone, had dropped points less often than their table berth suggested, losing just once in the previous five.

Yet for all the symmetry, it was Žďár nad Sázavou who found the decisive moments when it mattered.

First Half: Meziříčí Strike First as Momentum Ebbs and Flows

From the outset, Velké Meziříčí pressed purposefully, leaning on home support and the fluid attacking interplay that brought them seven goals in their two most recent wins. Their efforts bore fruit midway through the first half, with captain Tomáš Novák—ever the orchestrator—threading a ball wide for winger Petr Svoboda, whose low cross was met by Jan Havelka at the near post. Havelka’s instinctive finish slipped beneath goalkeeper Filip Blažek, sending the stands into early celebration and giving Meziříčí a deserved 1-0 lead.

Žďár nad Sázavou, unfazed, absorbed the pressure with patience. Gradually, they grew into the half, their passing crisp, their intent visible, but their finishing initially lacked conviction. A speculative drive from midfielder Miroslav Beránek forced a reaction save from Meziříčí’s veteran keeper Lukáš Horák, but the equalizer remained elusive as the whistle sent the teams into halftime with the home side narrowly ahead.

Second Half: Žďár’s Response and Turning Points

Whatever was said in the visiting dressing room had immediate effect. Žďár nad Sázavou emerged sharper, pinning Meziříčí deeper with an attacking trident led by the lively David Vacek. Their pressure yielded reward in the 53rd minute when a sustained spell around the penalty area saw Beránek again involved: his clever through ball found striker Jakub Veselý, who finished coolly from close range to tie the match at 1-1.

The tempo quickened. Meziříčí, perhaps rattled, conceded fouls in dangerous areas, and Žďár nearly capitalized in the 65th minute when a curling free kick from Ondřej Kabelka clipped the bar with Horák beaten.

Still, this fixture has often been defined by its slender margins—last season’s encounters both ending in draws, the two clubs locked in a friendly regional rivalry that always seems to deliver drama late on.

Late Drama: Substitute Seals the Upset

As the clock ticked past 80 minutes, both managers reached for their benches. For Žďár nad Sázavou, the introduction of 19-year-old Tomáš Kroupa proved inspired. In the 87th minute, seizing on a failed clearance, Kroupa darted forward, collected a flick-on from Veselý, and slotted past Horák from the edge of the box. The away bench erupted, Kroupa drenched beneath a wave of celebrating teammates.

Meziříčí pushed for a response, committing numbers forward in the final seconds, but Žďár nad Sázavou’s backline—with center-back Martin Krejčí marshalling his troops—stood firm. A last-gasp corner was palmed away, the whistle signaling an away victory with ramifications beyond three points.

What the Result Means: Standings Tighten as Both Teams Look Ahead

With the win, Žďár nad Sázavou leapfrog their rivals, both now level on points but with the head-to-head advantage belonging to the visitors. The congested nature of the table—where a single result can prompt seismic shifts—renders every point vital. For Velké Meziříčí, the defeat is a sobering check on their ambitions after a stretch of positive form; their unbeaten run snapped, momentum must be rebuilt with fixtures looming large against similarly positioned sides.

Žďár nad Sázavou, meanwhile, find themselves with renewed belief. Their ability to come from behind and find late goals elevates them into contention for the top four, and—perhaps more importantly—restores confidence after a series of stalemates threatened to see their campaign stall.

If this afternoon’s contest is a prelude to the return fixture, the stakes will only mount. For now, Žďár nad Sázavou return home with three crucial points and the satisfaction of having turned the narrative of their season on its head, one late kick at a time. The road ahead is no easier, but Sunday’s test proves they have the mettle—and the match-winners—to shape their own fate in Divize D.