Crvena zvezda maintained an unbeaten run in this season's Superliga with a fine 2-0 defeat of Javor Matis in Ivanjica. Ricardinho got his first goal for the club and Mitchell Donald added a sublime second to put the match beyond the hosts before the half-hour mark.
Ground: Ivanjica Stadium
Attendance: 2,500
Referee: Aleksandar Vasić
Goalscorers: Ricardinho 15', Donald 26'
Teams:
Javor: Đogatović, Karišik, Milović, Marčić, Amanović, Kolaković, Terzić, Tripković, Eliomar, Kiković, Jones.
Substitutes: Glintić, Ristovski, Kovačević, Sević, Ivanovski, Ilić, Cvetković.
Crvena zvezda: Borjan, Stojković, Savić, Le Tallec, Rodić, Donald, Krstičić, Ricardinho, Srnić, Radonjić, Pešić.
Substitutes: Kahriman, Babić, Gobeljić, Račić, Milijaš, Adžić, Boakye.
Brazilian midfielder Ricardinho was back in the starting eleven and he repaid Vladan Milojević’s trust with a wonderful display in the “number ten” role. His best moment was undoubtedly the opening goal after a quarter of an hour played. Former Sheriff player hit a rocket of a shot from outside the box and it flew into the top corner with Đogatović powerless to get to it.
Zvezda continued to put Javor under pressure and got that crucial second goal just ten minutes later. Ricardinho was brought down and Mitchell Donald placed the ball to take the resulting free kick. The Dutchman hammered it in and set his team on course for a rather easy victory.
Our team held the ball well, seemingly with minimal effort. This may prove crucial with the Europa League opener coming up on Thursday.
Second half brought a few chances for the visitors, but Đogatović in Javor goal did well and produced some very good saves from Rodić, Pešić, Krstičić and Srnić. It’s the hosts’ goalkeeper who kept the scoreline somewhat acceptable for the Ivanjica outfit.
Javor created a couple of half chances late on, but Borjan remained largely untested.
With the points secured, Crvena zvezda players, staff and fans turn their attention to Thursday’s UEFA Europa League match v FC BATE. Rajko Mitić Stadium will be rocking!