A final day slip up could not spoil a very good season for Vidi.
Sostoi stadium, Szekesfehervar, Att: 3,620 Match officials: Németh (Erős, Farkas B:) Videoton: Tujvel, Szolnoki, Caneira, Juhász, Stopira, Mitrovic (Tóth 73.) Gomes, Gyurcsó, Kovács (Lupeta 88.), Paraiba (Oliveira 65.), Nikolics, Pecs: Sánta, Lantos, Fodor (Causic 83.), Krecji, Uzoma, Horváth, Márkvárt Wittrédi (Beke 76.), Koller, Szatmári, Grumic (Simon 85.) | ||
The final match of a long season kicked off at the Sostoi on Saturday, amid stormy clouds above. Manager José Gomes was hoping for a good performance from his side to round off a long campaign. With second place secured following last weekend's 5-1 away win at Kecskemet, and Europa league action to look forward to in the summer, mid-table Pecs were the opponents in this final OTP league division one match.
The game started with Videoton going on the attack. Mitrovics sent a lovely ball over after just 46 seconds, with Paraiba's shot requiring a save from the visiting keeper. He could do nothing just two minutes later as Vidi raced into an early lead. Kovacs got the ball on the half way line, and went on a long run, before laying the ball in to the path of Nikolics, who calmly slipped the ball into the back of the net. Pecs defender Uzoma tested Tujvel in the Vidi goal after 7 minutes. The Fehervar side tried to get as much possession as possible, while also hoping to extend their lead at the same time. Pecs were happy to have 7-8 men behind the ball, which reduced the space to play in to.
There was little action in front of either goal at the start of the second half. The crowd had to wait until 66 minutes for a chance on goal. Unfortunately it came in front of Tujvel's goal, with Grumic crossing for young Markvart to keep his calm and beat Tujvel from close range. Nikolics headed wide of goal two minutes later after Stopira did well to set him up. Koller received a good ball on 75 minutes, with a suspicion of off-side, and he was able to take the ball beyond the home keeper, before rolling the ball in to the empty net. Pecs had turned the game around to lead 2-1 with little time left in the game.
The southern based side were happy to see out the remaining minutes and secure three points at the home of the league runners up. However, the final result could not dampen the fact that Vidi had produced a very strong spring performance. Congratulations go out to José Gomes and his coaching staff, as well as the team itself.
Author: David Rechnitzer