Vidi fall at the final hurdle as Standard reach the group stage

On Thursday night in Belgium, Vidi were the guests of Standard Liège, as we entered the pitch in the EL playoffs. The stakes of the match were huge, as in the event of a victory for Fehérvár, our team could have fought to get to the EL group stage for the third time. At the MOL Arena Sóstó, the team was supported by nearly 200 enthusiastic Vidi-supporters. Head coach Gábor Márton changed the starting lineup from the team that played against Stade de Reims last week: instead of Budu Zivzivadze, Nemanja Nikolic started.

Not at all, as in the 10th minute our international attacker found the back of the Belgian goal: Houri teased Nikolic, and the defender made a mistake, Niko headed down and then shot from 15 meters into the bottom left next to the advancing goalkeeper (0-1).

It was Niko’s sixth vidi goal in the EL, he had previously scored three times against Ghent in 2012 and he also scored a goal against Sporting that year, this year he has been successful against Bohemians so far, and tonight Standard Liège also found themselves at the end of his scoring feat.

In the 13th minute Muleka Jackson saw his shot go over following a sharp cross. There was another chance on 29 minutes: Petryak took the ball and laid it back to Houri, who tried to find Nego instead of shooting, but his pass was not precise. Ten minutes before the break and Niko released Petryak who shot, but a defender managed to block and it went out for a corner. The resulting corner by Houri reached Nego at the far post, whose cross from close range found the head of Musliu who headed over. Amallah had a chance from 11 meters on 38 minutes as he aimed for the near post, but Kovacsik parried it and Stopira cleared. A Nego-Nikolic link up saw Nego shoot wide of the right post. The two sides went in at the break with Vidi leading 1-0.

The home side drew level after 51 minutes: Gavory from 23 meters hitting a left footed shot that nestled in the back of the net (1-1). Carcela shot from the edge of the box on 57 minutes, but the ball rolled beyond everyone. Carcela was again dangerous moments later as his curling shot from 15 meters wide wide of the right post. 

The second half saw the Belgium side enjoying superiority and had the ball in our half for long periods. Amallah shot over on 73 minutes from 22 meters. Three minutes later and Carcela ended on the ground following a corner with the referee awarding Standard a penalty. Amallah stood up and sent the ball down the middle to make it 2-1. 

They were awarded their second penalty after 84 minutes after their player was clipped by Stopira. Once again Amallah punished Vidi as he found the corner to make it 3-1 with his spot kick. The five minutes of injury time did not produce any further goals and Vidi went out of the EL 3-1.