Vidi go through on the penalty shootout

In the first qualifying round match of the Europa League, we took on the Irish side Bohemian FC at the MOL Arena Sosto on Thursday night, behind closed doors.

Manager Marton Gabor chose: Kovácsik - Nego, Rus, Stopira, Fiola - Alef, Houri - Funsho, Evandro, Petryak - Nikolic as his starting line-up. 

We had to wait only three minutes for the first chance of the meeting, then Evandro tried from 20 meters, his shot came out of the guests' goalkeeper, and right in front of Nikolic, but our attacker did not connect cleanly. In the 9th minute, after Houri's corner, Stopira was able to head from 7 meters completely clean at goal, but the visitors' goalkeeper saved with his foot.

A minute later and a shot from Funsho went wide of the Irish goal. With 13 minutes played, the visitors attacked at goal with a two against one situation, with Nego the final defender, but he did really well to get hold of the ball inside his own box. A free kick from the wing after 19 minutes bounced dangerously in front of the visiting goal, before a defender managed to clear the danger. Kovacsik saved a shot from Wright after 20 minutes while moments later, it was Bohemians who went ahead on the night: A ball in from the right went across goal and Ward arrived at the far post to score from 8 meters, with Kovacsik getting a hand to the ball, but he could not keep it out (0-1).

Stopira headed at goal after 27 minutes, but Nikolic was offside and the match official did not award the goal. Petryak had a shot on 29 minute, which was tipped away from under his own bar by the visiting keeper. The action continued and 6 minutes later, a header from Funsho was saved by McGuinness. Fiola was fouled inside the box after 37 minutes and the Cypriot referee pointed at the spot. Nikolic made no mistake as he found the back of the net with a powerful penalty (1-1). 

Close to half time and good play resulted in a shot from Nikolic from 15 meters, which was well saved by the foot of a defender and out for a corner. 

The second half started with a 22 meters shot from Evandro, which went just wide of the top left corner. Then on 55 minutes, Petryak headed from 14 meters just wide of the goal. Minutes later and a powerful long distance strike from Alef flew over the bar. Petryak crossed on the hour mark and the ball rebounded off a defender, but the Irish keeper saved well. Nikolic was kicked in the stomach after 62 minutes inside the box, but the penalty was not awarded. Alef provided Funsho with a good ball after 66 minutes, but the visiting side managed to clear. A 73rd minute cross from Petryak just failed to find Evandro who came sliding in at the far post. With 10 minutes remaining of normal time, a Houri cross seemed to come off an Irish player inside the box, but again the referee waved play on. Ward showed good skills on 84 minutes before shooting wide of the goal from 17 meters. The final moments of normal time included a header from Stopira following a corner and Evandro with a chance, which produced a save from the Bohemian keeper. 

Normal time ended 1-1 and the game went into extra time. First Evandro shot but it was blocked and then Petryak tried but his effort went over the bar. The Irish side enjoyed the upperhand in the minutes that followed. First Devoy tested Kovacsik before Tward powerfully shot over from 16 meters. Finally Devoy also shot but it was saved by Kovacsik. Hodzic was on the end of a good move after 100 minutes but it went over. The second half of extra time did not produce too much action and the score remained at 1-1.

A penalty shootout followed and Vidi progressed 5-3 overall to make it through to the next round. Houri keeping calm to convert the all important final penalty. The draw for Q2 will take place on Monday when Vidi will find out who they will meet.