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Vojvodina’s half back Djuric,
who scored the only goal in the first-leg match of the first round of the UEFA
Cup against Olimpic Baku F.C. once again brought joy to the red-white
supporters. After Apokalaci’s shock goal (’49.) for the Azerbaijan team in the
second-leg match at the Tofiq Bahramov stadium, Djuric eased the uncertainty
with his goal in the dying minutes of the game, enabling his team to reach the
next round of the UEFA Cup.
On the balance of play over the
two matches it is fair to say that Vojvodina deserved their victory. All of
their supporters looked forward to the drawing of lots for the next round of
UEFA Cup when finally news from Nyon encouraged Vojvodina’s officials. Their
team had drawn Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C.
Both sides took the field led
by their captains. Popovic was wearing the captain’s armband for the home side
and Badeer for the away team. The home side were deprived of both Tadic’s and
Brkic’s (goalkeeper) services, who were playing at the Olympic games in Beijing.
In the very outset everyone at the Karadjordje
stadium saw the most beautifull moment of the game. Vukajlovic shot on the
volley from a distance. His shot was heading for the net but the goalkeeper made
a tremendous save tipping the ball away for the first corner. In spite of
failing, Vukajlovic got a big applause from the grandstands of the stadium.
After that, Vukajlovic twice went close. The
first attempt from the penalty arc narrowly whizzed over the crossbar (’13.),
the second attempt from the same place went just wide again (’38.)
In the meantime, Buac noticed
the goalkeeper out of his area , so he tried to lob him from 30 yards.
Unfortunately for him Enyeama went quickly to the goal line and easily hindered
another red-white players’ attempt chest trapping the ball (’14.).
The weather was extremely hot
so the referee from Ukraine decided to allow time-out in the 26. minute of the
play.
The red-white players continued
to threaten Vincent Enyeama. Tumbasevic shot from the penalty arc in the near
corner, but the goalkeeper cleared the ball for another corner (’40.).
After Grozdanovski’s corner,
Stosic took the ball and drove in a cross causing confusion in the goalmouth.
Defenders of the away team somehow succeeded to take the ball out of the penalty
area, only for it to land it on Vukajlovic’s foot. His shot from distance was
deflected by Abutbul towards the bottom right corner of the goal but luckily for
him, Enyeama was aware to the danger and somehow managed to turn the ball away
for a corner. (’41.).
And that was all from the
players in the first half. Vojvodina were more determined and they won the
battle in the midfield. Generally speaking, it was all one way traffic first
half.
The second half was pretty much
the same although four minutes after the restart following a good interchange in
midfield, Zahavi– was freed on the left side. He carried the ball to the penalty
area and fired in a shot which Brkic saved whit his legs.
Subsequently, everything was
the same as in the first half. Aleksic fired from a distance in the 51. minute,
but just wide.
In the 62. minute Grozdanovski
also tried from a distance, but Enyeama easily stopped his strong shot.
Enyeama was helpless in the 65.
minute, but Popovic, the Vojvodina captain, just grazed the post with a low
crisp shot from distance.
After Vukajlovic’s corner, half
back Mijatovic’ header from the six-yard box went past the far post of the goal.
(’70.)
Vojvodina came closest in the
74th minute. From Kizito’s excellent cross. Grozdanovski headed the ball into
the back of his team-mate Korac, who changed the course of the ball and almost
lobbed Enyeama but his marvelous save stopped the deadlock being broken.
Three minutes later, right back
Stosic fired directly at the goalkeeper from the edge of the penalty area.
Finally, in added time on the
other side of the field, Luz’s curling shot from a distance went just wide of
the angle.
After the game both coaches
agreed that Vojvodina were the better team, who just didn’t find the way how to
score. After keeping a clean sheet both sides have an equal chance to reach the
first round proper of the UEFA Cup. The goalless draw may give Vojvodina (who
had more of the game) a better chance to move clear of Hapoel in Israel.
(
ALL PICTURES FROM THE
GAME - IN THE SERBIAN VERSION OF THE
MATCH REPORT )
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