The "Sabah" team lost 2:3 to "Tsele" at home and today attempted to equalize in the return match of the first qualifying round of the Europa League. This was reported by Euro-football.ru.
From the beginning of the match, a dangerous situation arose at the "Sabah" goal. The guests made a defensive mistake, and Franko Kovachevich struck from close range, but the goalkeeper managed to save the ball.
Anatoliy Nuriev sent a corner kick from the left flank to the far corner. Djoi-Lens Mikelis left his opponent behind and scored a magnificent header, bringing the score to 0:1.
Then Kovachevich accurately directed the penalty kick to the bottom right corner, and the goalkeeper could not anticipate the shot, making the score 1:1. Artemiyus Tutishkinas attacked from close range after a corner kick, but the goalkeeper made an excellent reflex save to keep the ball out.
At the beginning of the second half, Mario Kveshich executed a corner kick from the right flank, and Damyan Vuklishevich, left unmarked, struck powerfully from eight meters, changing the score to 2:1. Then, after a throw-in from the right flank, Akim Zedatka sent the ball to the center, and Mikelis directed the ball beautifully with a header to the post, equalizing the score at 2:2.
Jess Sekidika provided a pass into the penalty area from the right flank, and despite Mikelis's unsuccessful shot, the ball fell to Pavol Shafranko. His shot was blocked, but Mikelis was the first to get to the rebound and brought the score to 2:3.
The decisive moments of the match occurred in extra time. "Spartak" and "Lokomotiv" trainee Nikita Iosifov entered the penalty area from the right flank and struck with his left foot to the near corner, with the goalkeeper catching the ball on the second attempt.
In the 108th minute, "Sabah" goalkeeper Andrey Kotnik saved a shot from outside the penalty area. Then Kotnik provided a pass from the left flank, and Iosifov, unmarked, scored accurately from the far corner, equalizing the score at 3:3.
At the end of the two matches, the score was decided 6:5 in favor of "Tsele." The "Sabah" team will continue in the Europa Conference League competition, where they will face the "Petrokub" team.
This match was held at a high level and generated great interest among the spectators. The contest between the teams showcased strong competition and high skill.
The results demonstrated the teams' preparations and goals for upcoming competitions.
