HU
A Kodro double, Rus and Zivzivadze all scored and Dárdai also had two assists in the 4-1 win over Gabala SC.
A real summer heat of almost 40 degrees was waiting for the 4750 fans who headed to the MOL Arena Sóstó on the 21st July to cheer our team live in the first match of the season against Gabala SC. The Azeri team, like us, joined the European Conference League in the 2nd qualifying round. Michael Boris made one change to the starting eleven from last week's winning friendly match against Galatasaray, so the eleven of Kovács D. - Rus, Serafimov, Shabanov - Nego, Rúben Pinto, Fiola, Heister - Dárdai, Petryak - Kodro took to the pitch for the Vidi opener
The match started with a great Vidi chance, in the fourth minute Heister's cross was flicked wide of the goal by Dárdai from close range. In the 15th minute, Petryak's 14-metre shot missed the Azeri goal, and a minute later, after a counter-attack by the visitors, Schorr calmly finished off in the centre of the penalty area to give Gabala the lead (0-1). After the goal, Dárdai's cross was saved by goalkeeper Salahat from Shabanov, and at the other end Muradov's cross was cleared by Pinto in front of the goal. In view of the heat, the Swedish referee called a break in both halves, and the Vidi goal came soon after the first water break: After a pass from Nego, Kodro took the ball nicely and fired into the bottom right corner from 12 metres out (1-1). In the 35th minute, Azeri right-back Qirtimov was left on the ground after a head-on collision, and after nearly eight minutes of treatment he was taken off the pitch on a stretcher and had to be replaced (he was subsequently taken to hospital with a suspected concussion). The whole stadium applauded the unfortunate footballer, who of course we wish a speedy return! The first 45 minutes ended with an eight-minute extra time, at the end of which Rus headed onto the crrssbar, and the teams went into the break with the score 1-1. Neither team made a substitution at the break, and the first chance fell to Heister, whose shot was saved by the goalkeeper. The visitors had a chance from an 18-metre free-kick, but Muradov curled the ball wide. In the 58th minute, Kodro hit just wide of Nego's cross from the five-yard box, but in the 66th minute we took the lead: a corner from Dárdai's was headed into the goal by Rus (2-1)! The drinks break in the second half was also good for our team, because three minutes later another goal for Fehérvár came, after Dárdai's left-wing cross Kodro found the Azeri goal from inside the box 3-1)! Ten minutes after the goal, the visitors were depleted, with number 6 Musayev picking up his second yellow card, so he will definitely not play in next week's return leg. We took advantage of the man advantage, after Makarenko's pass Budu Zivzivadze beat two defenders and scored our fourth goal (4-1)! After three minutes of extra time, the referee blew the final whistle, which we won confidently at the MOL Arena Sósto. Thank you for your support, the return match will start at 18:00 Hungarian time on 28th July and will be broadcast live on Duna World.
Author: David Rechnitzer
