Friendly: Videoton FC - HNK Rijeka 2-2

Videoton FC traveled out to Spain last week to begin their pre-season preparations. They played their first friendly match against Croatian side HNK Rijeka on Sunday afternoon. The match produced four goals, which were shared between the two sides. The game kicked off in lovely sunshine, although there was a strong wind that made it a little bit harder for the players. 

José Gomes took the chance to try out some players in different positions in the friendly. One example of this was Stopira, who started the game in central defence. Haraszti also played in a deeper midfield role than he has done earlier. The match began really well with Vidi taking an early 2nd minute lead. Nikolics found the back of the net from 17 meters, picking out the bottom left hand corner of the net. Donat Zsoter also played an important role in the build up to the goal. The Croatian side then came back into the game and soon began to direct things, although they found a strong Videoton defence in their way. Calatayud did well to save from Kramaric after 33 minutes. Mamadu then fouled an opponent inside his own box, which the referee awarded a penalty for after 34 minutes. Leon Benko confidently stroked home the equaliser. Barely 5 minutes later, Calatayud produced one of the saves of the game by keeping out Jugovic from close range. Haraszti's free kick on 42 minutes clipped the crossbar after a save from the Croatian keeper. Victor Gomes headed against the post following a Gyurcso free kick towards the end of the first period. The rebound found Haraszti, but the ball was hacked off the line by a defender.

The half time saw changes from both managers, with two new sides coming out for the second 45 minutes. There were more surprises on the Vidi side. Papp fitted in at central defence, while Nildo played further back then normally at left back. Lupeta moved to the right wing while Kleinheisler went up front. The unusual formation soon started to work well, with barely four minutes on the clock, resulting in Oliveira putting Vidi back in front. Bertosa's ball in from the left on 56 minutes, saw Vinicius attempt to clear from in front of goal, but the ball ended up in the back of the net for an unfortunate own goal. With the scores now level, the tall Rijeka striker Krstanovic threatened Vidi's goal more than once. He caused problems for the Vidi backline with his presence.

The 63rd minute saw a ball in from the wing end up with a header that went just wide of the post. Pokrivaca then tried his luck a couple of minutes later from long range, which resulted in the ball crashing back off the crossbar. Kleinheisler was replaced by Gyurcso after 66 minutes, which meant that Lupeta moved up front. There was still time for Rijeka player Ajay to try his luck in the 84 and 88th minute. The first attempt bounced off Toth, while Tujvel in the Vidi goal saved very well with the second effort.

The match could have been decided with a couple of minutes left. Kovacs received a good ball from Lupeta, but the young player saw his chance saved very well by the Rijeka keeper. The match official blew for full time with the final result being 2-2.