Togo striker Kone saves opposing goalkeeper in Czech league

Posted February 27, 2017 6:00 am

The Associated Press

PRAGUE (AP) - For the fourth time in his career, striker Francis Kone rushed to the rescue on the soccer field to help save someone's life.

The Togo international jumped into action on Saturday when the opposing goalkeeper in a Czech league match was lying motionless after a collision with a teammate.

Kone, who plays for Czech club Slovacko, reacted quickly and was able to stop Bohemians goalkeeper Martin Berkovec from swallowing his tongue, allowing him to breathe freely. The incident happened in the 29th minute after Berkovec collided with teammate Daniel Krch.

After the match, Kone revealed it was the fourth time he had been able to help in such circumstances following two incidents in Africa and one in Thailand.

Berkovec thanked Kone on Facebook "for his quick action in saving me."

The league called Kone the "hero" of the match.

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This story has been corrected to show the spelling of the goalkeeper's name is Berkovec, not Borkovec.

FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2016 file photo Togolese striker Francis Kone of Slovacko celebrates his goal during the Czech First League soccer match against Slovan Liberec in Liberec, Czechia. The Togo international Kone jumped into action on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, when the opposing goalkeeper Martin Borkovec in a Czech league match was lying motionless after a collision with a teammate and helped to save his life. (Radek Petrasek/CTK via AP, file ) SLOVAKIA OUT The Associated Press

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