In the 31st round of the OTP Bank Liga, our 34-time Hungarian champion men's football team played Kecskemét in a match without any stakes for us. Stanislav Cherchesov fielded the defending champions Bogdán - Botka, Knoester, Abena, Pászka - Baráth, Gojak, Zachariassen - Marquinhos, R. Mmaee, Owusu.

First half

We had to wait five minutes for the first chance of the match, but the home attempt avoided Bogdán's goal. Kecskemét's striker had a header from a left-wing attack, but our goalkeeper was able to get on the end of the attempt. Moments later we were on the attack, Ryan Mmaee passed to Owusu, the latter's shot was blocked and a corner was taken.

In the 10th minute, our Moroccan striker was again looking for Owusu on the long side, but the Kecskemét defence cleared in time. After an unfortunate collision Baráth and Vágó were left on the ground, the referee immediately signalled to both medical crews. Both were eventually able to continue the game. In the 24th minute Horváth headed in and aimed for the long corner, but Bogdán saved easily.

After almost half an hour Kecskemét threatened after a left wing cross, but the shot was blocked by our defence. Seconds later, we were in position, but Varga's effort into the short bottom corner was saved. In the 34th minute, Gábor Szalai scored for KTE to take the lead (1-0). Seven minutes before the end of the first half, we scored from a promising position with a free kick. Pászka and Gojak were on the end of it, and the latter shot was saved by Varga. In the 43rd minute, the Bosnian midfielder tried again but missed the target.

Second half

At the break, our head coach made one change: Esiti replaced Baráth.

After the turnaround, the teams continued the match with the same combativeness and high spirits as they had left it after the first forty-five minutes. After the break, the home side had the first serious chance, but Bogdán's free kick from a good position was easily saved. In the 57th minute, two substitutions were made: Lisztes replaced Owusu and Traoré replaced Zachariassen.

With the substitutions, we managed to give our team new impetus and put the home team under pressure, but we could not break through their defence. In the 73rd minute, Abena received his second yellow for a foul on the halfway line and we finished the match in a man down. Five minutes later we had a free kick from a good angle. Ryan Mmaee was on the end of it, but his right-footed curling effort missed Varga's goal.

With eight minutes of normal time remaining, Ryan Mmaee received a promising ball, but the Moroccan striker misplaced the pass. In the 86th minute, Knoester headed a short clearance and Tóth fired a shot on goal (2-0). In extra time, Májer scored a goal-kick.

Our men's football team will next play DVSC in the 32nd round of the OTP Bank League on Saturday, 20 May, at 17.45, which will be our last home match of the 2022/23 season.