Crvena zvezda returned from the short trip to FK Voždovac with maximum points. Mitchell Donald set his team on course for a win with a 40-minute free kick and Guelor Kanga secured the points just before full time.
Ground: Stadion Shopping Center
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Bojan Nikolić
Goalscorers: Donald 40', Kanga 90'
Teams:
Voždovac: Popović, Filipović, Ivković, Stuparević, Mihajlov, Ješić, Pavlović, Gajić, Putinčanin, Zec, Duronjić.
Substitutes: Knežević, Perović, Pavlovski, Luković, Petrović, Gavrić, Mašović.
Crvena zvezda: Kahriman, Stojković, Le Tallec, Babić, Rodić, Donald, Krstičić, Kanga, Srnić, Milić, Pešić.
Substitutes: Supić, Gobeljić, Račić, Milijaš, Adžić, Radonjić, Boakye.
Head Coach Vladan Milojević made a few changes from the team that draw with FC BATE three days earlier. Damih Kahriman started in goal as Milan Borjan picked up a minor injury in mid-week. Srđan Babić replaced Vujadin Savić at centre-back, while Aleksandar Pešić led the line with Richmond Boakye rested. Nemanja Milić slotted in for Nemanja Radonjić in this Superliga Gameday 10 match.
Utmost professionalism was needed for this clash, with memories of last season’s defeat at this ground still fresh. It was the loss at Voždovac’s “rooftop” that probably cost Crvena zvezda the Superliga title last term.
First half wasn’t a pretty affair, most likely because of heavy rain that made Voždovac’s artificial turf almost unplayable. The home team did well and caused Zvezda more problems, but Damir Kahriman was well-positioned.
Just as it looked like the teams would head for half-time break with no goals, but skipper Mitchell Donald had other ideas. Slavoljub Srnić was brought down and our Dutch midfielder hit an unstoppable free kick to give Crvena zvezda the lead. It was his fourth goal of the season already.
The weather improved after the break and quality of Zvezda’s performance with it. Our team dominated the match and looked like the only team likely to score. Nenad Krstičić in particular was inspired, showing some wonderful touches in the middle of the park and some neat passes. He came close to creating a goal midway through the second half when he laid the ball off nicely for Damien Le Tallec, but the Frenchman blazed over from a good position.
Slavoljub Srnić came close shortly afterwards after a nice one-two with Pešić, but his shot was saved by Popović.
Radonjić, Boakye and Gobeljić were brought on late in the game, but neither of them couldn’t get on the scoresheet. But Radonjić did well to set Kanga up just seconds from time and the Gabonese midfielder struck home from inside the box to secure the win and keep his team top of the league.
It was a fine win for the red-and whites, but there won’t be much time to rest as we’re away at Borac on Wednesday in a re-arranged Superliga Gameday 6 match.