Videoton FC bow out with their heads held high

The original match should have been played on the Thursday, but the rainy conditions in the hours leading up to the game, resulted in the pitch becoming waterlogged. The game was played out 24 hours later following the decision made by UEFA. The Genk - Basel match on the Thursday ended in a goaless draw, which meant that Videoton had no chance of progressing through to the knock out stages. The players remained very motivated despite this, as Paulo Sousa put it, it is very important for the club to continue to battle for recognition.

Sporting forced some chances during the opening 15 minutes, but the first real effort on goal came from the visitors. The 17th minute saw Nikolics provide a good ball to Oliveira, who shot low at goal from 15 meters, requiring a good save from keeper Marcelo in the home goal. Midfielder Neto released Nikolics with a great ball three minutes later. Niko ran alone on goal, but his shot was saved by the body of the busy Marcelo. The home supporters, who were very few in number, had reason to be nervous again shortly after. A nice attack ended at the feet of Neto, who curled his shot from 20 meters on to the top of the crossbar.

Brachi also had a shot on goal, two minutes later, following a free kick, which finally ended at Sandor inside the box, who turned quickly, but his shot was blocked by a defender, and the ball went out for a corner. Vidi had 4 good chances within 10 minutes, where they could have gone ahead. Fortune remained with the home side. There were no more chances in front of either goal for the remainder of the half.

Neither manager made changes to his side as the teams emerged onto the pitch for the start of the second half. Sporting pushed Vidi back in the opening moments of the second period, enjoying more possession in the process. However, they failed to seriously test Tujvel in the Vidi goal. He was finally called upon in the 52nd minute, comfortably holding onto a long range shot. Sandor did have a low shot from 18 meters, but it was dealt easily by Marcelo. Sporting had a good chance a couple of minutes later, following a shot from the left, which Viola, who was virtually in front of goal, connected with but his shot went high and away from the goal. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 65th minute. Labyad was the scorer following a powerful low free kick, which Tujvel parried into the path of the striker, who made no mistake from close range.

The goalscorer was once again in the thick of the action in the 71st minute. He stepped out alone as he tried to hit the ball wide of Tujvel, but the Videoton keeper did very well to save from close range. Videoton were given hope in the 78th minute, after a Brachi cross was handled inside the box by Rinaudo. The Greek match official pointed to the spot without hesitation. Captain Sandor kept his composure to send the keeper the wrong way and bring Videoton back level in the game.

However, it was Sporting who went down the other end to restore their lead a couple of minutes later. Capel's corner was not cleared and the ball fell to Viola, who headed the ball past defender Caneira on the goalline. That resulted in the Portuguese side going 2-1 ahead on the night, which they managed to protect and see out. There was further drama still left in the game. Sandor received a straight red for his challenge on Capell. Esgaio also had a chance to increase the lead with 2 minutes left of normal time. However, he shot just wide of goal, following a good challenge from the Vidi defender. Viola had the final real chance when he arrived to connect with a low ball from the left. However, Tujvel once again produced a good save to keep Vidi in the game.

Injury time brought two slight chances for Vidi, with Gyurcso hitting the first with his left foot, before Paraiba also tried his luck, but neither seriously tested Marcelo. The referee blew for full time with Videoton ending in third place in Group G, ahead of Sporting who finished bottom of the group. Vidi also showed once again that they are worthy opponents on the international stage. The players will now go home for a well earned winter break, before they re-group for the spring season.