FK Jablonec vs Pafos

Correia's 90th-minute miss was the decisive moment. For 89 minutes, the game had been a tactical stalemate — both teams well-drilled defensively but lacking sharpness in the final third, typical of pre-season. Had Pafos scored, Jablonec would have had no time to respond. The chance itself demonstrated the quality gap Pafos can exploit: a single vertical pass splitting the defensive line, something the Czech side managed to prevent for the rest of the match.

Vít Mihelak (Jablonec) — The Jablonec goalkeeper was the busier of the two keepers and commanded his area well. He was not forced into a spectacular save but was perfectly positioned to narrow the angle on Correia's late chance, which proved decisive. His distribution from the back was composed, helping Jablonec build through Pafos' high press.

David Luiz (Pafos) — Even at 39, the former Chelsea and Brazil centre-back showed why he remains a key figure. He read the game sharply, cutting out several Jablonec through balls, and offered a threat from set pieces.

Filip Zorvan (Jablonec) — The creative midfielder was Jablonec's most inventive player, linking play between midfield and attack. His combination play with Malenšek down the left caused Pafos problems in the first hour.

Player of the match: Vít Mihelak — not because he made multiple saves, but because his calm presence and well-timed decision-making ensured Jablonec kept their clean sheet against a side that played Champions League football last season.

The 0-0 scoreline reflects a match where both defences dominated. Pafos, as expected, enjoyed more possession, but Jablonec matched them in territory and pressing intensity. Shooting opportunities were scarce at both ends — neither side truly tested the opposition goalkeeper beyond routine efforts. The fact that the game's biggest chance arrived in the 90th minute tells the story: both teams prioritised defensive shape and positional discipline over attacking risk, which is typical for a mid-camp friendly where fitness is the primary objective.

Jablonec's willingness to make nine outfield substitutions further underlines the preparatory nature of the exercise. Pafos, deeper into their pre-season schedule (having already faced KS Cracovia on 3 July), looked slightly sharper in possession but lacked the final ball to convert territorial advantage into clear chances.

For Jablonec, this was an encouraging test against a Champions League-calibre opponent. They remain unbeaten in pre-season after a 5-0 demolition of Mladá Boleslav (27 June) and a 1-1 draw with Ústí nad Labem (3 July). Their next friendly is against FC Liefering on 11 July. The real business begins on 23 July, when they face Croatian side Varaždin in the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round, with the return leg on 30 July.

Pafos, the reigning Cypriot champions, continue their three-phase pre-season tour. They face Jagiellonia Białystok on 12 July and Slovan Bratislava on 16 July before their competitive season begins.

A goalless draw that told both managers what they already knew: the defensive foundations are solid, but the attacking sharpness needs work. For Jablonec, keeping a clean sheet against a side that played Champions League group football last season is a genuine positive. The next fortnight, with two more friendlies before the Conference League qualifier against Varaždin, will determine whether the final-third chemistry catches up.