Vidi progress after a big battle

Videoton FC progressed in to the next round of the Europa League after a goaless draw on Thursday evening

Videoton FC - Slovan Bratislava 0-0 (0-0), agg: 1-1
(Vidi go though on the away goal rule)
Szekesfehervar, Sostoi stadium, Att: 8,028
VIDEOTON: Bozsovics – Stopira, Vinícius, Caneira, Szolnoki Tóth, (Kovács 67.), Mitrovics Oliveira (Walter 81.), Sándor, Gyurcsó (Torghelle, 87.) Nikolics
SLOVAN: Putnocky, Bagayoko (Jánosík, 88.), Gorosito, Pauschek, Luksík,  Halenár (Hlohovski, 78.), Kopúnek Grendel (Szarka, 83.) Sebo, Milinkovics, Peltier

There was heavy rain leading upto the second leg game, just as there had been a week earlier in Bratislava. However, the weather improved and this exciting match was played out in good conditions. The sun shone on Vidi throughout the match, which was full of with two sides trying their best to make it through to the next round of the Europa League. The Videoton supporters prepared a great reception for their side with the red, white and green of the Hungarian flag, being waved around three sides of the Sostoi stadium. The scene was set for a good match with over 8,000 inside the all seater stadium. Manager Paulo Sousa sent out a strong starting eleven in the hope that his side would end up facing Gent of Belgium.

The first chance came after 2 minutes, when Oliveira received a good ball from Nikolics, who shot with his left foot from 13 meters out, but the ball ended up going wide. Oliviera was the provider 5 minutes later: Gyurcso's cross, which looked to be too strong, was controlled on the left side by Oliveira, before he beat one man and hit a right footed effort, which went wide of the right post. Slovan sent out a warning after 9 minutes that they too were in this contest. Milinkovic crossed from the left, with Vidi keeper Bozovics punching it clear in the end. Grendel then hit a powerful shot a few seconds later from 30 meters out. The battle then played out mainly in the middle of the pitch over the next 10 minutes, with few chances being created.

The second half was a minute old when Gyurcso received a kick to his leg. The match official had a busier second half, ending up with several players receiving the yellow card. The first chance in the second period arrived on 52 minutes. Oliveria's low shot from 30 meters went inches wide of the goal. Sandor broke through after 62 minutes, when Gyurcso played the ball back to him, with Nikolics trying to get hold of the ball inside the area, but the danger was cleared by the strong Slovan defence. A new chance came 4 minutes later, when Gyurcso went down the right hand side, before crossing low towards Oliveria who dribbled past one, before his effort rebounded off a defender for a corner kick. 

A total of 3 yellow cards were produced in the next 5 minutes, with referee Gautier handing out 2 cautions to Slovan and the other to a Videoton player. The tension increased as time went by, with Vidi knowing that a 0-0 draw would be enough to go through, having scored an important away goal in the 1-1 draw a week ealier. Slovan put all their energy into attacking, with Bozovics producing a good save more than once. Slovan also found it tough to get through Caneira and Vinicius in the middle, who marshalled the Vidi backline well throughout the 90 minutes. Bozovics did well to palm away a dangerous looking Luksik free kick close to the final whistle. The final moments produced plenty of excitement, while the crowd continued to back their side in fantastic fashion. French referee Gautier finally blew for full time in the 94th minute of the match, with Vidi going through to face Belgium side Gent, after they beat Differdange 4-2 on aggregate.

Szerző: David Rechnitzer

További hírek