2021/2022 Season Preview: Third time’s a charm?
Three years of history in the making
The Dragoons jump into their 3rd season since its inception in 2019, as the first foreign founded, multinational football club competing in the Polish league system.
Krakow’s expat team started the 2021/2022 season in the Puchar Polski, defeating Iskra Krecin in the first round. Unfortunately, the Expats succumbed to a 2nd round cup exit in the penalty shoot-out defeat against Tramwaj Kraków.
This afternoon, the Dragoons kick-off their B Klasa campaign against KKS Grom Kraków. The Dragoons have faced Grom on 3 previous occasions, securing victory against them in all 3 matches.
Update: KKS Grom Kraków will not be able to participate in today’s match, a situation which gives the Dragoons their first 3 points in the season by winning this game with a walkover.
Update 05/09/2021: KKS Grom Kraków have abandoned the competition, thus making the match above void.
In the same fixture last season, the Dragoons came away with a 6-1 victory. The game saw Rohit Chandran and Enrico Forabosco grab a brace, with further strikes coming from David Nicolas and Krzysztof Musiał. Another memorable moment from the game saw fan favourite Cedrick Mwamba making his competitive debut for the Dragoons.
Last season saw 11 teams in B Klasa, however this season sees the league expanded to 14 teams. There will be five new teams in the division for the Dragoons to face this season. They are Fairant Kraków, Bieżanowianka II Kraków, Bronowicki KS Kraków, Tramwaj II Kraków and Kolejarz/Prokocim II Kraków.
A Familiar Foe
One of those sides returning to B Klasa are a familiar name to the Dragoons. Fairant suffered relegation from A Klasa last season and will look to resume their friendly rivalry with the Expats.
Fairant are synonymous in the history of the Dragoons as they became the first ever opponent for the Expats in a PZPN affiliated match in 2019.
The match took place in the first round of the Puchar Polski with Dragoons securing a stunning 6-0 victory and a certain Dani Silva scoring the first ever official goal for the club. The Portuguese playmaker ended the game with three goals to write his name in Dragoons folklore.
In the COVID hit 19/20 league campaign, the sides faced off once again and despite a half time lead, the Dragoons were defeated 5-3. With the season ending prematurely, Fairant gained promotion to Klasa A with 31 points from 12 games.
The Dragoons finished the 19/20 season in 4th position with 24 points from 12 games. Last season, the Expats once again finished in 4th place, winning 7, drawing 2 and losing 7 times. Out of the current teams in the league, only Pychowianka Kraków and KS Rybitwy Kraków finished above the Dragoons.
Head coach Ash Asani has seven new additions at his disposal and will be looking to better the previous 4th place finishes, with 2 sides set to be promoted from B Klasa this season.
