Report: Goal in injury time sees Vidi lose at Haladas

Videoton played their final league game of 2017 at the new home of Szombathely Haladas. The new stadium was recently handed over on the 8th November. Manager Marko Nikolic had to do without three suspended players: Fiola, Juhasz and Scepovic all missed the game as did Geresi, who sat the match out through injury. Videoton went into the game hoping to finish the autumn season in top place. 

The match started with a chance for Vidi and it was quite a big chance. Lazovic took a free kick, which was flicked onto the bar by Henty. A cross from Stopira was cleared by a defender, but Fejes sent his shot against the post. The ball eventually went out over the goaline off the back of keeper Kiraly. 

Fejes cleared ahead of an opponent on 8 minutes, while Halmosi found Grumics with a pass and the latter hit a weak shot from a promising position. The home defenders managed to clear a 10th minute Lazovic free kick, and then went on a counter attack, which saw Mario Nemeth cross into the middle for Ramos and Meszaros, but it was too long. Nego tried from the middle after 16 minutes from 14 meters, but his left footed shot went over the bar. Nemeth then crossed for Halmosi moments later, which ended with Ramos shooting over from close range. 

It was an enjoyable game and midfielder Varga had the next chance with a shot from 25 meters. There were plenty of battles for the ball on the pitch in the first period with small chances at either end. Suljic broke into the box before shooting low, but Kiraly was well placed to deal with it after 39 minutes. Haladas were awarded a penalty close to half time. A foul by Fejes inside the box resulted in Meszaros falling to the floor. Referee Kassai pointed at the spot. However, Nemeth saw his low shot come off the post and bounce out. The sides went in at the break with the score at 0-0.

Haladas made a change at half time. Injured Ramos was replaced by Williams. Henty rolled the ball in front of Stopira after 48 minutes, who then sent a cross in towards Nego. The defender put his header wide of the target. With 54 minutes on the clock, Wils slipped and denied the ball from rolling over the line, with Kiraly managing to get back and collect the ball from going over the line. Vidi won a penalty after Suljic' low cross went under Lazovic, who allowed it to roll onto Patkai, who was fouled by Grumic. Kassai pointed at the penalty spot for the second time. However, Lazovic saw his penalty saved by veteran keeper Kiraly.

The action continued with a shot by Meszaros on 68 minutes going wide from 19 meters. A defender did get his foot to it and it ended up going out for a corner. The resulting corner resulted in Racz shooting over. Suljic again broke into the box before seeing his 70th minute shot saved by the home keeper. 

A 71st minute Nego cross was headed at goal by Patkai, but it did not find the target. The atmosphere inside the neat compact stadium helped to make it an end-to end affair. Kovacsik saved twice from Kovacs and a close range effort from Wils. A dangerous Stopira cross was cleared from danger after 87 minutes, before Hadzic sent a shot over Kiraly's goal shortly after. Henty was replaced by Szabo on 88 minutes. Haladas had a chance moments later following a corner that Grumics sent wide. Injury time brought the winning goal, which fell to Haladas. Bosnjak played Meszaros clear down the left, and he made no mistake as he calmly rolled the ball beyond Kovacsik (1-0).

Vidi did not manage to get back into the game and the three points remained at the home of Haladas. Videoton are next in action on the 24th February 2018 with a home game against Vasas.