A FOOTBALLER turned hero during a match in the Czech Republic when he saved the life of the other team’s goalkeeper after a horrific collision.

    Goalie Martin Berkovec, 28, came out to collect a ball during Friday’s match between Bohemians 1905 and Slovacko but smashed into his own defender, Daniel Krch.

    Berkovec, who was on loan from Slavia Prague, collapsed but eagle-eyed Slovacko striker Francis Kone noticed that he had gone limp.

    Without waiting for the team doctor or physio, Kone put his finger into Berkovec’s mouth to prevent him swallowing his own tongue. Berkovec was stretchered off and taken to hospital, where he is expected to make a full recovery.

    Writing on Facebook after regaining consciousness last night, Berkovec said, “I would like to thank Francis Kone for rescue and emergency at today’s game … I’m glad for the relief and thanks again!!!”

    Slovacko’s head coach Michal Kordula praised Kone during the post-match press conference.

    Kordula said, “I understand from Bohemians that Francis helped. Hats off to him. This is how players should behave towards each other.”

    But it turns out that it is not the first time Kone, 26, has been a life-saver.

    He says it is the fourth time in his short career he has pulled a tongue from a players’ mouth to save them from suffocating.

    The incident was by far the most interesting thing that happened during the game, which ended goalless.(SD-Agencies)