Match Report: Confident win away in Estonia

Videoton were in Europa League action in the Estonian capital on Thursday evening. The opponents in the Q2, 1st leg match were Nõmme Kalju FC. Vidi trained a day earlier at the Kadriorg stadium in Tallinn in sunny conditions. However, the rain throughout Thursday resulted in a slippery surface by the time of kick off. Another point of interest was that Vidi made it through the previous round in Malta where the temperature was close to 40c last week. It was somewhat colder in Tallinn and 11c to be exact. 

There is around 1800km distance between Tallinn and Szekesfehervar but it still did not stop a number of travelling supporters from making the trip. The match kicked off with the first chance falling to the home side on 3 minutes. Kirss broke through between the defenders and his shot from a tight angle was blocked by the feet of Kovacsik. Vidi went ahead 5 minutes later after a corner fell to Patkai, who hit a sweet low left footed shot from 18 meters into the bottom left corner (0-1). 

There were 15 minutes on the clock when Lazovic hit a free kick from the half way line, which resulted in Stopira rising highest, but his header went over. Roland Juhasz broke through suddenly after 19 minutes between two defenders, but his curling shot switched direction. The Videoton captain was again involved 6 minutes later, but this time with a header that hit the woodwork. 

There was an unusual change on half an hour when Portuguese match official Joao Capela was forced off after suffering an injury. He received treatment and there was a stop in play for several minutes. However, he was unable to continue and fourth official Luis Godinho replaced him. The action continued with Nego finding Scepovic with a pass around the box, and he brought Suljic into play, and from a tight position shot from 5 meters, but keeper Teles was well placed to deal with it. Valikajev had a chance close to half time on the left, before crossing low, but Kovacsik did well to save and the two sides went in at the break with Vidi enjoying a single goal lead. 

The second half began with a goal for the visiting Hungarian side on 47 minutes. Szolnoki played a ball into the path of  Nego and he tried to take the ball around the keeper, before being pulled down. The referee pointed straight at the spot and Scepovic made no mistake to make it 0-2. The forward continues to be in good form and has scored in each of the games so far this summer, whether they were friendly matches on in the Europa League. 

Lazovic shot just went wide of the post after 49 minutes. Home player Liliu headed from 10 meters, which Kovacsik in the home goal saved well with the ball heading for the bottom left corner. The home side went close to scoring a consolation goal after 65 minutes, but Valikajev tried from 8 meters, but his shot brought a good stop from the Vidi keeper, who saved with his feet. 

Vidi were awarded another penalty after 73 minutes when the keeper again committed a foul, but this time on Scepovic, who was brought down on the left side of the box. The Serbian forward stood behind the ball and sent it powerfully into the roof of the net to make it 0-3. A long distance shot was saved by Adam Kovacsik minutes later. That proved to be the final chance of the game as the referee brought the match to an end. 

Vidi are next in action on Sunday evening when they kick off the new league season. Newly promoted Balmazujvaros are the visitors to the Pancho Arena with a 17:00pm kick off.