Vidi draw 1-1 away at ZTE in season opener

The OTP Bank League 2021-2022 season started on Sunday evening at the home of ZTE FC. Head coach Imre Szabics chose the following starting line-up Kovácsik - Fiola, Musliu, Rus, Stopira - Petryak, Nego, Alef, Heister - Dárdai, Nikolic.

Before the match, heavy rain poured down on the ZTE Arena, so the conditions were not ideal for the teams. The first 15 minutes passed without any major chances with only Petryak's cross being cleared by a defender ahead of Dárdai. The home team picked up two yellow cards in 12 minutes, Tajti and Halilovic both entering the referee's book. In the 16th minute, Kovácsik came out of his goal very decisively for a cross which he punched away from Bobál, the home defender was briefly left on the ground, but fortunately no serious problems occurred and he was able to continue.

Two minutes later, Demjén came out for a cross from the wing and the ball fell to Heister, who fired over the top of the bar. Another two minutes passed and Heister's low cross was met by Nikolic who fired wide from 5 metres. Halfway through the half, Gergényi's cross was headed inches wide by Zimonyi from 7 metres. The game livened up, another Heister cross came in, but Nikolic was again off target - this time with his header. At the other end Kovácsik confidently held Halilovic's rebound. In the 33rd minute, Fiola's left-footed shot bounced off a defender and went out for a corner. The score remained 0-0 as the action continued towards the end of the first period. In time added on in the first half, first Nikolic laid the ball on for Petryak inside the home penalty area but it was just shot and then Heister's cross bounced to Nego, our midfielder shot from 8 meters, but the ball was not on target.

The second 45 minutes started well, following a corner, Alef passed the ball back to Dárdai, and he scored with a left foot shot into the right corner of the goal from 18 meters (0-1).

In the 52nd minute Petryak curled a ball over the goal from the edge of the box. After 10 minutes, Stopira brought the ball up and, with no one challenging him, shot from 20 metres just over the goal. In the 69th minute ZTE equalised unexpectedly: after a left-wing cross, Kovácsik punched the ball out to Babati, who shot from 6 metres out, the goalkeeper could only punch the ball in and it slipped into the bottom right corner (1-1).

In the 74th minute, Gergényi's cross was flicked at goal by Koszta from 10 metres out, but the home player tried with an acrobatic kick but without any luck. Four minutes later, Dárdai's free kick was dangerous, Stopira darted forward and missed the ball, it slipped on the wet pitch but did not test Demjen.

In the 89th minute, Nego's cross was headed towards goal by Szabó, again Demjén was well placed to deal with it. There was no further chances in the 4-minute extra time and we started the new season with a 1-1 draw.