by Spartak Myjava delighted the 1,329 home supporters as they fired home a 3 – 0 win against debutants Buducnost Podgorica to seal a place in Saturday’s final. Andrea Bogorova got the side going, before second-half goals by Zuzana Narozna and Katarina Vredikova closed off proceedings for a confident score to take to Saturday.
Team Selections
Spartak Myjava’s goal was protected by Viktoria Opalkova. A back-four was deployed with Maja Dimtrijevic and Zuzana Narozna at its core, while Monika Pirtanova and Nina Matusicova started as full-backs. Captain Iveta Neved’alova started in front of the defence, with Eliska Dvorakova and Tamara Kramlikova further forward. Katarina Vredikova and Sara Korvasova occupied the flanks. Andrea Bogorova led the attack.
Meanwhile, Buducnosts’ debutant goalkeeper was Indira Fakovic. She was also protected by a back-four, consisting of Milica Radunovic, Maja Saranovic, Vlada Milovic and Sanija Pacariz. Merjema Medic started in midfield with Aleka Balevic and Karina Berikova. Captain Jana Merdovic started on the flank with Lana Ruskovic opposite her, while Angelina Dresaj led the attack.
How It Unfolded
The hosts were off to an almost dream start as Katarina Vredikova burst forward before picking Andrea Bogorova. However, the forward was just wide with the finish. The striker let past the overlap from Eliska Dvorakova just a minute late. However, she fizzed the finish just over the bar.
The opening chances encouraged the 1,329 home fans who were making themselves known. However, the visitors were unfazed and pushed forward through Karina Berikova in response.
The physical contest ensued with Spartak Myjava looking to exert their physical power but finding a staunch response from Buducnost. Referee Ugne Å mitaite reached into her pocket just twelve minutes into it to dish out a booking for Buducnost’s Milica Radunovic as she handled Katarina Vredikova.
The hosts had another opportunity from a free-kick, with Zuzana Narozna floating a ball forward. However, Buducnost cleared effectively with good work to get up the pitch by their captain Jana Merdovic. She fired a shot from distance, which though curled wide, encouraged her bench.
The match balanced out between the two as nerves settled and the midfield battle started to emerge. Katarina Vredikova continued being a nuisance for Buducnost, but there was encouraging moves up top for the debutants. Angelina Dreshaj had an opportunity playing a flick in the box but lacked the venom to trouble the hosts with no finish at the end of it. At the other end Tamara Kramlikova rose to meet a cross but Indira Fakovic was well placed to handle the header.
The hosts ultimately broke the deadlock in the 37th minute with the wing swap working to good effect. Katarina Vredikova and Monika Pirtanova combined well to whip a cross into Andrea Bogorova. The forward had the time to take a touch before placing low into the bottom left corner from close range to send the home support on their feet and into full voice.
Buducnost withstood the surge for an immediate second, before attempting to get an equaliser just before the break from a corner. Aleka Balevic whipped in the delivery toward Maja Saranovic, but Tamara Kramlikova was equal to block the header.
Half-Time Score: Spartak Myjava 1 – 0 FK Buducnost Podgorica
There were no changes at the break from either team. Buducnost’s attempt at an early equaliser was nipped in its bud with the second goal that arrived just four minutes into the half. The centre-backs combined with Maja Dimtrijevic floating a free-kick from midfield, which Zuzana Narozna tapped home unmarked to give her team the comfort of a two-goal cushion.
The hosts kept searching for more with Andrea Bogorova and Katarina Vredikova combining to good effect for another opportunity. However, Bogorova’s header was off target. Sara Korvasova got on a flying run on the other wing, before cutting inside for the shot. However, Indira Fakovic had it covered at the near post.
Increasingly retreating, Buducnost had a rare opportunity in the 65th minute. Angelina Dreshaj turned in front of the box before linking with Karina Berikova who fired the shot. However, it lacked the power to trouble Viktoria Opalkova in goal.
Changes ensued from either side, with Sara Korvasova making way for Radoslava Jacenkova for Myjava. Buducnosts’ Globarevic made three changes, bringing on Lidija Stanic, Zerina Piskic and Larisa Dukovic, in replacement of Merjema Medic, Karina Berikova and Lana Ruskovic.
The hosts grabbed the opportunity for the third in the disruption caused by the substitutions with both hands. Katarina Vredikova was next to tap home the finish from inside the box, this time assisted with the cross by Andrea Bogorova.
Tamara Kramlikova forced an acrobatic stop from Indira Fakovic just moments later, with the goalkeeper commanding in the box against the resulting corner delivery. The hosts had a late penalty shout that was waved off by the officials.
Further changes were made, with Myjava’s Barbora Marholtova, Sara Krsiakova and Adela Chodurova replacing Andrea Bogorova, Monika Pirtanova and Tamara Kramlikova. Buducnosts’s Angelina Drishaj and Sanija Pacariz gave way to Ana Vlahovic and Danica Relikc.
Buducnost had a late resurgence in attempt to get themselves on the scoresheet. Larisa Durkovic made a positive charge before Jana Merdovic linked in and fired an effort to force Viktoria Opalkova into a save. However, the hosts saw off a deep delivery with the full time whistle sounding moments later to a rapturous roar from the home support.
Final Score: Spartak Myjava 3 – 0 ZFK Buducnost Podgorica
Next Matches
The match marks a return to winning ways for Spartak Myjava in the competition, and the first on home turf. The side will welcome Swieqi United for the final showdown on Saturday at 19:00 at the same stadium in Myjava. Swieqi Untied earned their place by beating Agarista Anenii Noi.
Buducnost will face Agarista Anenii Noi at 11:00 on Saturday to decide the third place finish in the group.
Lead Image: Spartak Myjava
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