On Saturday evening, 26 July, our 36-time Hungarian men's football champions began their long journey towards another title win with an away game against MTK. Robbie Keane named three of our summer signings in the starting line-up, so we lined up with Dibusz - Makreckis, Ötvös, Cissé, Szalai, O'Dowda - Tóth, Maiga, Levi - Joseph, Varga in our special golden jersey for the eternal derby, in which - after a good international start - we were confident of a great start to the championship.
First half
The first shot was taken by the home player Kata, which Dibusz saved smoothly, and then Ötvös' slide caused some danger in front of the home goal. In the 14th minute, Joseph received a great ball, which he put in front of him, but the finish was not successful, our striker missed the goal. Soon afterwards, Ádin Molnár's cross was met by the defence and Dibusz.
The home side's number 7 later hit the side netting after a great individual effort. In the 27th minute, Alex Tóth was fouled and passed to Levi, who fired a shot from the edge of the box, but the ball went inches wide of the right post. Then Szalai's header raised the crowd's voices, but this time no goal was scored. Just before the end of the first half, Lenny Joseph slotted home a close-range rebound from Demjén's fist to give us the lead (0-1).
Second half
The second half started with a cold start from our point of view, as Rajmund Molnár's shot from 18-20 meters hit Dibusz's goal unguarded (1-1). In the 61st minute, O'Dowda's sharp cross was cleared by Demjén.
Shortly afterwards Makreckis attempted a shot from about 22 metres out, but his shot just missed the home goal. We made three substitutions, Varga was replaced by Aleksandar Pesic, Levi by Edgar Sevikian and O'Dowda by Barnabas Nagy. The latter could have scored early, but the ball went past the left post.
Both head coaches tried to freshen up their team with substitutions.
Newcomer Edgar Sevikjan created several dangerous situations and in the 90th minute Pesic was in a great position, but his shot went over. There were no more big chances in the match, we started the new season of the NB I with a 1-1 draw.
MEN'S FOOTBALL
FIZZ LEAGUE, ROUND 1
Saturday, 2025, July 26th, 20.15
MTK-FTC 1-1 (0-1)
New Hidegkuti Nándor Stadium
Referee: Gergő Bogár
MTK: Demjén - Szépe, Beriashvili, Kádár, Kovács P. - Bognár (Horváth A., 77.), Kata, Plsek - Molnár R. (Bévárdi, 77.), Molnár Á. (Németh H., 86.)
- Jurina (Németh K., 89.).
Head coach: Dávid Horváth
FTC: Dibusz - Makreckis, Ötvös, Cissé, Szalai, O'Dowda (Nagy B., 78.) - Tóth, Maiga (Keita, 62.), Levi (Sevikyan, 78.) - Joseph (Gruber, 86.), Varga (Pesics, 78.)
Head coach: Robbie Keane
Yellow cards: P. Kovács (69) and Keita (94)
Goals: Molnár R. (54.) and Joseph (44.)
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