In between qualifying against Irish Shamrock Rovers and the third round ECL qualifier against Hamrun Spartans of Malta, our 34-time Hungarian men's football champions prepared for their first league match of the 2023/24 season after the first round match against Kecskemét was postponed until the end of September. On Sunday's matchday of Round 2, Csaba Máté's team played as guests of Fehérvár FC. Our head coach sent the starting line-up of Dibusz - Makreckis, Mmaee, Cissé, Ramírez - Sigér, Baráth, Zachariassen - Owusu, Traoré, Lisztes to battle.

First half

The first shot of the game was scored by Sigér, who shot over from distance, then Lisztes had a poor pass and soon afterwards Ramírez's corner was dangerous. Then in the 13th minute Owusu won a ball near the penalty area of Fehérvár, passed it to Lisztes in the middle and with a calm, flat shot gave our team the lead (0-1). Three minutes later Kodro tried to reply for the home side, but Dibusz saved. In the 21st minute, Traoré crossed to Owusu, but his shot was over the top. Soon after, another shot by Lisztes came in, Owusu's pass was missed by our striker. Flores and Kastrati then tried to equalize, but neither shot found the net.

In the 30th minute, a free-kick allowed us to score again, and Ramírez recorded a stunning goal (0-2)! Even with the lead, we didn't stop there: Baráth collected the ball, Traorét ran down, but Kovács got the ball and soon after Zachariassen's shot bounced off. In the 42nd minute, Zachariassen launched Lisztes, whose shot was blocked, and after a Fehérvár attack Dibusz had to save with his foot. In the 44th minute, Kastrati was in front of the goal, and his shot was not blocked, so the home side came up before half time (1-2).

Second half

The second half started with home chances, Kodro's shot was saved by Dibusz, Kastrati's was blocked by Ramírez. In the 53rd minute, Fehérvár equalised with Kodro's header from a corner (2-2). Makreckis then shot from distance, but Kovács saved. In the 58th minute, Kodro bounced the ball inside our penalty area, adjusted the ball and scored the leading goal for Fehérvár (3-2). We reacted with two substitutions, replacing Baráth and Owusu with Abu Fani and Barnabás Varga.The former immediately attempted a shot but was inaccurate. Then, Lisztes was given a chance but failed to threaten.

In the 63rd minute, Abu Fani sent a great ball forward to Zachariassen, who finished the attack to tie the score again (3-3). We had to wait only three minutes and we were back in the lead, after Abu Fani's set-up, substitute Varga shot into the net (3-4). We left nothing to chance as Abu Fani gave his third assist, a precisely curved free-kick to Traoré (3-5). In the 75th minute, Tokmac, returning from a long injury, replaced Lisztes, who immediately aimed at the goal.

In the 79th minute, Traoré looked for Varga and his header found the keeper. In the last ten minutes Knoester and Bálint Katona came on for Zachariassen and Traoré.

Our team got their first win of the season in a match full of twists and turns. We continue on Thursday, in the ECL qualifier against Hamrun Spartans.