HU
Videoton eased past Paks 2-0 on Saturday to keep their place at the top of the league.
Videoton continued their good home record over Paksi FC that dates back to 2007. Those have included 9 wins and a single draw against the Tolna county side. The red and blues were looking to extend that run in what was the final home league game of 2017. Manager Marko Nikolic had to make do without Asmir Suljic and Paulo Vinicius. There were two players making a return to first team action. Mate Patkai picked up an injury against Costa Rica in a recent friendly but he was back in the starting line-up. Istvan Kovacs was named on the bench after a lengthy period out. Paks had top goalscorer Laszlo Bartha and Tamas Koltai missing for the 15:30pm game.
The first real chance came on 14 minutes. A nice pass with the inside of his foot curled in front of Scepovic, who from 7 meters shot at goal. The rebound fell to Geresi, who slipped and finally Hadzic sent a shot over the bar.
Lazovic lifted a ball to Geresi on 24 minutes, but the forward was flagged offside. The action inside the Pancho Arena continued but Paks were finding it hard to get out of their own half. The breakthrough came after 30 minutes when Nego got hold of the ball and played it in front of Lazovic, who chipped the ball towards Scepovic. The Serbian forward was brought down by keeper Verpecz and referee Kassai pointed at the spot. The resulting penalty was confidently hit home by Lazovic to make it (1-0).
Paks kicked off but Vidi again pressed forward in search of more goals. Geresi played the ball through to Lazovic, but the forward was adjudged offside by the officials. There was still time in the first half for a Stopira cross that Lazovic flicked at but the teams went in at the break with Videoton leading 1-0.
Videoton started the second half the better of the two. A Lazovic free kick went just wide of the head of Scepovic, but it was a lovely ball in from the left. A move involving Lazovic-Scepovic-Lazovic ended with a dangerous cross. The resulting corner was headed over by Stopira. Former Vidi midfielder and member of the last title winning side, Adam Simon shot wide from 22 meters. The minutes ticked by without too much excitement with Szolnoki coming on to replace Scepovic, who was on 4 yellow cards. Paks winger Haraszti crossed for the incoming Papp to send a powerful header, which keeper Kovacsik did well to hold on to. The game was made safe after 84 minutes. Lazovic held the ball up well and played it on to Geresi, who comfortably held off his marker before playing Nego through on goal. The winger took the ball beyond Verpecz and confidently rolled the ball into the back of the empty net (2-0). Geresi came off after the goal to be replaced by Henty. Istvan Kovacs, who has recovered from an injury was also given some match action as he came on after 87 minutes for Lazovic. Vidi almost made it three in the final moments: Hadzic took a quick throw to Kovacs, who played it on to Henty, whose shot was well saved by Gevay. The corner from Kovacs found Henty, who again brought a good save out of the Paks keeper. That was the final chance as Videoton comfortably won 2-0 to remain top of the league. It also extended the impressive home record over Paks.
Author: David Rechnitzer
