Crvena zvezda wrapped the year 2017 with a 1-1 draw at rivals Partizan. The hosts led until late in the game through a Seydouba Soumah penalty, but Richmond Boakye popped up when it mattered to give his team a valuable point.
Ground: Stadion JNA
Attendance: 14,874
Referee: Milorad Mažić
Goalscorers: Soumah (pen) 62' - Boakye 83'
Teams:
Partizan: Stojković, Vulićević, NR Miletić, Ostojić, Antonov, Jevtović, Everton, Pantić, Soumah, Ožegović, Tawamba.
Substitutes: Jovičić, Mitrović, El Munir, Radin, Ilić, Đuričković, Jovanović.
Crvena zvezda: Borjan, Stojković, Savić, Le Tallec, Rodić, Donald, Krstičić, Srnić, Kanga, Pešić, Boakye.
Substitutes: Supić, Babić, Jovičić, Gobljeić, Milijaš, Račić, Adžić.
Stadion JNA pitch was in a poor condition after an entire day of showers and first half didn't offer much entertainment. The red-and-whites didn't look like the team they were for much of the season, struggling to keep the ball and create meaningful attacks.
There was still a glorious chance for Vladan Milojević's men midway through the first half. Guelor Kanga whipped a glorious cross from the right flank and Aleksandar Pešić did great to escape his markers and get on the end of it, but his volley from just meters out was straight at the goalkeeper who was rooted to the spot. That really should have been an openining goal for Crvena zvezda.
On the other end, former Red Star striker Ognjen Ožegović had a couple of attempts, but couldn’t beat Milan Borjan.
Partizan attacked with more intent after the break and their efforts were awarded with a penalty kick on the hour mark after Vujadin Savić’s sliding tackle on Ognjen Ožegović was deemed illegal by the referee Milorad Mažić.
Seydouba Souma powered a penalty in, although Milan Borjan will be very disappointed with himself for not keeping it out despite guessing right and getting a heavy touch on it.
That goal meant that the red-and-whites needed to find another gear and try to get back in the 156th Večiti derbi.