Poor refereeing costs Videoton dearly on a disappointing evening

It is hard to begin this match report without mentioning the performance of the match officials, which totally overshadowed this important league fixture. The impact of their decisions influenced the whole outcome of the match. Videoton travelled south to Lombard Papa, with the match being played out in front of very few spectators, and with Paulo Sousa's side fielding several changes to the team that performed well against Genk on Thursday evening. Three points would have resulted in Videoton climbing into the top three of the OTP league, but the referee had other ideas. The cold weather also helped to make this game one that many will just want to forget about.

Sousa brought back Tujvel in goal, while Hector came in at left back, with Szolnoki switching to the other full back position, in place of Brachi. Kaka and Vinicius began the game in the centre of defence, with Sandor, Toth, Gyurcso, Kovacs and Neto all playing in a five man midfield. Top striker Nemanja Nikolics played the lone front man, with the midfield looking to give him regular support. Kovacs had the first chance from 30 meters out after 3 minutes. Toth also saw his free kick go wide of the left hand post as Vidi began the game on the front foot. Sandor then sent a high ball forward towards Nikolics, but Szucs, in the Papa goal, reacting quickly to clear the danger. Kovacs pulled away on the left, taking the ball all the way to the goaline, before cutting it back for Niko, but Rodenbucher reacted fast to intercept. 

It was just a matter of good fortune that the young Videoton player did not have his leg broken. It could quite easily have resulted in Kovacs having to miss half a year of playing football. The brutal and deliberate tackle should have earned Toth a straight red, but referee Takacs handed out a yellow. The two sets of players then faced up with each other with some pushing and shoving. However, the match official issued a red card to Paulo Vinicius to the astonishment of almost everyone inside the stadium, and those watching at home. Papa found themselves in the lead after Nikolics was fouled. However, the Papa side did not kick the ball out of play, instead deciding to make use of their two man advantage with an attack down the left. The cross from Arsic found the head of Seye, who sent a good header past the outstretched hand of Tujvel. Vidi tried hard to force an equaliser in the remainder of the first half, but failed to get past Szucs.

It flattened the Brazilian forward, who required treatment before he could carry on. It also meant that the obvious decision of handing a penalty, instead ended up with a goal kick being given. Gyurcso escaped down the right after 83 minutes, and his good cross in was cleared by Rodenbucher. Sandor also sent a shot over the bar following a Gyurcso cross from the right. It ended up being the best chance on the evening to level the game. Papa were under plenty pressure towards the end from 10 man Videoton. The three minutes of added time failed to produce any further chances or goals. The home side ended the game winning by a single Seye goal, but the game will be remembered for the very poor performance of the match officials.

Vidi tried everything to get a good result, but Janos Takacs and his assistants, made sure that things would turn out otherwise. The referee failed to award two blatant penalties, while the strange sending off of Paulo Vinicius just seemed to anger and amaze, not only the coaching staff but the travelling supporters as well.