Match Report: Drama in the 95th minute

On Friday evening our team hosted ZTE FC in the 10th round of the OTP Bank Liga NB I. This time, head coach Michael Boris sent the following team on the pitch. Kovács D. - Fiola, Larsen, Stopira, Hangya - Makarenko, Dárdai, Rúben Pinto - Nego, Kodro, Kastrati. In the previous meetings, ZTE won 23 times and drew 24 times, while Vidi won 40 times. The goal difference before the match was 145-98 in our favour. Sándor Baritz, a Vidi supporter since the 1970s, made the ceremonial kick-off. His family gave him the chance for his 60th birthday. 

First Half: Kenan Kodro scored in extra time to give us the lead

In the 2nd minute Fiola was in position, but his shot was blocked and was deflected out for a corner, which was taken with no danger. Ten minutes later, Pinto's cross was headed wide by Stopira from seven metres. In the 19th minute, Zalaegerszeg had their first serious chance, when another Gergényi cross found Ikoba, but the American striker fortunately headed wide from five metres. At the other end, Rúben Pinto shot wide from 20 metres and soon after Kodro was in position to score, but his 13-metre shot also missed the target. In the 25th minute, Szalay would have been in position, but Hangya made a great tackle.

Eight minutes later, Gergényi swept a 19-metre shot past Kovács and the post. In the 41st minute, we saw the best move of the match so far, Dárdai shot from 8 meters with his back to goal, Demjén did well with great save from under the crossbar. After referee Péter Antal had signalled the two-minute extra time, Hangya broke inside the 16 alongside Kálnoki-Kis, then passed nicely to Kodro, who was empty in the middle, and curled a 12-metre shot into the left corner. Demjén was able to touch the ball but could not save the well-placed shot (1-0).

Second half: Drama in the 95th minute

Ricardo Moniz made three substitutions at the break and the second half started with Meshack's long-range shot that missed the target. In the 57th minute, Nego's shot into the middle was saved by Patrik Demjén, and shortly afterwards Diego Santos shot wide from 20 metres. In this part of the game we saw less chances, ZTE tried, but our defence was solid. In the 79th minute Meshack's awkward bouncing shot came off Kovács, but was cleared by the defenders. In the 83rd minute, a bit of luck was needed to keep the score 1-0, as Mim gave the ball from the right wing in front of goal, where Meshack arrived and in a point blank situation, hit the ball over the goal from 6 meters. In the 95th minute, a free-kick was headed towards goal by Demjén, who dived forward, but Kovács saved and Ikoba fired the rebound into the net from close range. According to the TV footage, Ikoba was in front of the ball for Demjén's header, but after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was awarded by the referee, so we picked up a point against ZTE.

Next time on Monday evening Újpest FC will visit the MOL Arena Sóstó.