by Buducnost secured third place and a maiden win in the competition, beating Agarista Anenii Noi by 3 – 0. Captain Jana Merdovic got the first goal, before late strikes by Angelina Dreshaj and Aleka Balevic wrapped the win for the Montenegrin champions.
Team Selections
There were no changes for Agarista with Alina Saitain continuing in goal. Cristina Musteata captained the side from the defence, alongside Ludmila Caraman, Sarlaston Rotari and Daniela Iurucu. The midfield continued to be marshalled by Alexandrina Maidanscaia, Ludmila Andone, Anastasia Toma, Simona Meleca and Gabriela Bagrin. Carolina Vasilachi led the attack.
Meanwhile, Buducnost’s Indira Fakovic continued to protect the goal behind an unchanged defence in Milica Radunovic, Maja Saranovic, Vlada Milovic and Sanija Pacariz. Aleka Balevic and Karina Berikova continued to operate in midfield, with Lidija Stanic being the only new introduction to the team in midfield. Captain Jana Merdovic and Merjema Medic supported Angelina Dreshaj in attack.
How It Unfolded
It was Buducnost that took the bull by the horns, with Karina Berikova firing from just outside the box but seeing the effort flash wide. The Montenegrin side sought to keep a high line and push Agarista into their own half with the full-backs pushed up high to support the attack. However, the Moldovan champions were attempting to pick their opportunities to venture forward.
Buducnost attempted to get something on the counter as Angelina Dreshaj and Merjema Medic combined to try to relase Jana Merdovic. However, Agarista’s Ludmila Caraman did enough to take the ball away.
The Moldovan team earned a dangerous free-kick opportunity with Anastasia Toma weighting the ball well to force a palm from Indira Fakovic.
However, the majority of momentum continued to lie with Buducnost who continued to fashion opportunities before finding the opener in the 17th minute. They delivered the opening goal from a short free-kick routine as Aleka Balevic passed to Sanija Pacariz. Her cross in the box was converted by captain Jana Merdovic.
The Montenegrin champions continued to display patient football, looking to open the spaces against Agarista. Karina Berikova found Sanija Pacariz wide, with the full-back delivering another good cross. However, Angelina Dreshaj could not get the touch on the stretch. Merjema Medic delivered another opportunity with a volley in the box, but Alina Saitain was well positioned for the block.
Half-Time Score: Agarista Anenii Noi 0 – 1 Buducnost Podgorica
Buducnost made one change at the break with Lidija Stanic making way for Lana Ruskovic who set off on the wing, as Merjema Medic dropped into midfield. Sixteen-year old Ana Vlahovic also took to the pitch instead of Milica Radunovic shortly into the half, while Larisa Durkovic replaced an injured Jana Merdovic close to the hour mark.
The Montenegrin champions continued to create at will. Angelina Dreshaj and Alika Balevic were both keen on a shot with the latter forcing a save from Alina Saitain. Larisa Durkovic had an immediate impact to force the goalkeeper into action, before Cristina Musteatu nipped an opportunity for Lana Ruskovic to get a free-run on goal against Alina Saitain.
Buducnost fashioned another major opportunity with a good combination between Aleka Balevic and Angelina Dreshaj. Balevic continued the run but her effort to find the bottom right corner was blocked by Alina Saitain.
Carolina Vasilachi was replaced by Adela Ceban for Agarista, before Ana Burlea made an appearance late on. Despite this, the Moldovan side continued to struggle to trouble the Montenegrin defence.
At the other end, Buducnosts’ search for further goals was finally rewarded in the 82nd minute, with a goal fashioned by three players with a combined average age of sixteen. Aleka Balevic spread it to Ana Vlahovic, who whipped the cross in. Angelina Dreshaj rose to bury the header.
Karina Berikova was next denied by the woodwork, who will feel hard-done-by not to get a goal having skipped past three players on her charge into the box. The midfielder attempted another from distance from a free-kick, which was kept low but wide of the mark.
Amra Lurkovic and Vladana Boricic made a late appearance for Buducnost in injury time, but the Montenegrin side had space for one more goal. Aleka Balevic got things going with a strike from outside the box to earn a corner for the time. The midfielder was on the money with the conversion with a volley into the right corner of the net to finish the scoring.
Final Score: Agarista Anenii Noi 0 – 3 Buducnost Podgorica
Standings
ZFK Buducnost claim their first victory in the competition, marking a positive end on their first year in the competition. The side clinch third place in the group.
Spartak Myjava will progress to the next round having beaten Swieqi United by 2 – 1 in extra-time, with the Maltese champions claiming the runners’ up spot.
Lead Image:Â VladimÃr Pyxel Domen
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1 Response
[…] Swieqi United clinch second place in the group on their debut in the competition, while the other debutants in the group, ZFK Buducnost Podgorica, clinched third place in their play-off against Agarista with 3 – 0. […]