From understudy to hero! Goalkeeper Hladký, 32, gets his first taste of the English second division, makes key saves to help Sunderland win

Not so long ago, Ipswich Town could boast two goalkeepers from the Czech Republic. Tomáš Holý has been playing in the third division, Václav Hladký stayed at the club and now he became a hero when he scored the winner against Sunderland.

Ipswich is one of the traditional English clubs, but since the beginning of the millennium it has been moving between the second and third league. Just last season, the likable side won promotion to the Championship after four long seasons.

Since 2021, Václav Hladký, a native of Brno, has been a member of the team. He has experience from the fourth or third English league, but he was never the number one at Ipswich Town.

This season should be no different. Christian Walton, who was brought in from Brighton a year ago, is the team’s number one. But less than two weeks before the start of the second league, the English goalkeeper was injured.

A reason to panic? For some, perhaps, but Ipswich have put their faith in the Moravian goalkeeper, who certainly has what it takes to challenge for the number one spot. And that’s exactly what he’s confirmed.

Ipswich Town had a difficult task in the first round, as a newcomer they played at Sunderland, who would like to return to the English elite after years. The favourite was clear.

However, Hladky and his teammates took the lead at the end of the first half, added a second goal at the beginning of the second act and everything looked promising. Sunderland, however, could not afford to be too dramatic, going down in the 86th minute and reaching for an equaliser.

However, Hladky, who became one of Ipswich’s heroes, made important and brilliant saves at key moments. He was praised by the coach and praised by the fans. Suddenly, there are even words in the discussions that Walton can definitely challenge for the number one position.

Source: Ipswich Town, Championship, Transfermarkt