After a 1-1 draw against CSZKA 1948 Sofia from Bulgaria, our men's football team played their second pre-season match of the second summer training camp against NK Istra 1961 from Croatia in Lienz, Tyrol. Our head coach Pascal Jansen opted for a starting line-up of Dibusz - Botka, Knoester, Cissé, Ramírez - Loncar, Esiti, Tóth A. - Ben Romdhane, Pesics, Kehinde in a match split into four 30-minute periods.

First half

We came close to scoring in the first minute, but Pesic's shot was saved by Croatian goalkeeper Lovro Majkic. In the 12th minute, we had a free kick from a dangerous position, Loncar's attempt was cut off by the Croatian defence. Six minutes later Kehinde stepped up, but again the opposition backline was alert. In the 20th minute, the referee called a drinking break and our team changed their shirts and put on our new away kit. In the 25th minute, Ben Romdhane took Loncar's cross well and made a great pass to Kehinde in the middle, but our striker's shot was blocked. After 30 minutes, the referee signalled for the first change of halves.

After the short break, we had the first big chance of the second thirty minutes, Kehinde missed the ball in the middle by inches. In the 37th minute, our captain Dibusz Dénes was tested by the Croats, but our national team goalkeeper saved confidently. In the 46th minute Ben Romdhane was in position, but his effort from an acute angle was saved by Majkic. Three minutes later, Kehinde's pass was followed by Pesic's shot (1-0) to give us the lead. In the 60th minute, Pesics calmly beat his defender after a great clearance and shot into the goal (2-0).

Second half

The third thirty minutes started with a quick Croatian chance, but our defence blocked well. Two minutes later, Loncar's free kick was headed in by Knoester and Ben Romdhane was on the end of it, but the goalkeeper saved well. In the 72nd minute we made two changes: Esiti and Ben Romdhane left the pitch, replaced by Owusu and Traoré. In the 80th minute, Istra scored from a corner by Ivanisevic (2-1). After the goal, Istra gained momentum and twice threatened, but Dibusz saved confidently both times.

For the last thirty minutes of the game, Pascal Jansen made a complete line change, so we started the remaining 30 minutes with Varga Á. - Makreckis, Abena, Raul Gustavo, Civic - Maiga, Katona B. - Traoré, Bassey, Szevikjan - Kodro. In the 93rd minute, Traoré threatened but his ball-bound shot missed the target, and then Ádám Varga had to show bravura at the other end.In the 99th minute, Fortune Bassey found the net after a well-played move (3-1). All our players were keen to prove themselves to our head coach, so we continued to push the pace and were always in front of the Croatian goal.In the 109th minute, Sevikjan had a chance, but it was in vain as the referee waved the whistle.

In the last minute, our team had the upper hand, but no further goals were scored, and a double from Aleksandar Pesic and a goal from Fortune Bassey gave us a 3-1 win against NK Istra 1961 of Croatia. Our men's football team will next take on 2023 the Conference League winners West Ham United from East London on Monday 15 July at 16.00 in the third and final training match of our training camp in Tyrol.