Vladan Milojević’s team produced another gritty performance to secure the points at inspired Vojvodina. Mitchell Donald stroke early for Zvezda, but our team only reached the win late from the penalty spot after Eze equalized for the hosts.
Ground: Karađorđe
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Jovan Šegrt
Goalscorers: Eze 73' - Donald 2', Ben Nabouhane (pen) 84'
Teams:
Vojvodina: Rockov, Lazarević, Lakićević, Subotić, Vukasović, Jovančić, Radovanović, Putinčanin, Arsić, Eze, Mihajlović.
Substitutes: Perić, Saničanin, Cebara, Zličić, Mesarović, Vujanović, Kalezić.
Crvena zvezda: Borjan, Stojković, Savić, Le Tallec, Rodić, Donald, Jovičić, Krstičić, Srnić, Radonjić, Pešić.
Substitutes: Supić, Gobeljić, Frimpong, Račić, Milijaš, Adžić, Ben Nabouhane.
Captain Mitchell Donald ensured his team had a perfect start to the match as he reacted quickly when goalkeeper Emil Rockov could only fist away a thunderous Branko Jovičić volley.
The early opener added urgency to home team’s game, which also meant that Superliga leaders had to be alert and prepared for a tough battle on a soggy pitch.
Arsić and former Zvezda striker Stefan Mihajlović came reasonably close to finding Borjan’s net with long-range efforts as Red Star struggled to gain full control of the encounter. Despite holding the lead, our players didn’t look like the team in front and failed to build on captain’s early goal.
Second half saw Zvezda press much stronger and restrict the home team with some fine positioning and hard work in the middle of the park.
However, the hosts made the most of a Zvezda’s lapse in concentration and mounted a swift counter attack that was well finished by Vojvodina’s Nigerian forward Eze Vincent Okeuhie with around 20 minutes left.
El Fardou Ben Nabouhane came on for Aleksandar Pešić and injected some pace upfront as Zvezda again pushed upfield in search of another goal.
After a smart Zvezda move on 82 minutes Nemanja Radonjić was brought down in the box and the referee awarded a penalty. There was contact, but our winger had also slipped in the critical moment, which probably led to the referee pointing to the spot.
El Fardou Ben Nabouhane made no mistake and tucked the penalty away to put his team in front.
Vojvodina tried to force another equalizer, but they couldn’t mount any sort of pressure and the Belgrade team held on for another three points.
The final whistle meant that Vladan Milojević’s team had ensured two Superliga wins in space of just four days.