Elche overpower PSG late on, giving our boys a strong chance to play for a medal

Atalanta and Spartak Moscow drew in the opening match of the second day of the 9th Honvéd Motherson & Vulcan Shield Cup, leaving the Italians unbeaten at the top of their three-team group. In the seventh minute Djibril So found himself facing goal after a corner from Mamadou Cisse, but shot over under no pressure. After 20 minutes Elche also threatened: Pablo Canizares tried from 20 metres, but Hugo Olmeta held his shot.

Late in the first half Elche took the lead: after a cross from the right Olmeta misjudged the flight of the ball and Canizares headed accurately into the net (1–0). Ten minutes into the second half José García was played through, but shot into Olmeta's hands. The French threatened the Spanish goal for the first time in the 50th minute from a free-kick, Fernández producing a superb save to keep the effort out. The action accelerated late on: in the 55th minute Olmeta held Alejandro de Juan García's first-time shot.

A minute later Mohamed Namory dribbled his way into shooting position, but Fernández tipped away the forward's effort. Elche then beat the Paris side twice more: Canizares completed his brace, while substitute Munoz somewhat fortuitously increased the Spanish advantage and set the final score (3–0).

Our team will face Elche on Saturday for top spot in the group, and provided we do not lose by at least three goals, we are guaranteed to play for a medal at the Bozsik Arena on Sunday.

Paris Saint-Germain FC–Elche CF 0–3 (0–1)

Budapest Honvéd Academy, 150 spectators. Referee: László Fekete (Ádám Molnár, Domonkos Salamon).

PSG: Olmeta – Cisse (Namory, – at half-time), Samake, Laymard, Razafimbahoaka (K. Coulibaly, – at half-time) – Tsamoukounou, Soh (Sanon, – at half-time) – Belarbi – Bolou, Grenon Rolle (Mbandzoulou, – at half-time), Morisseau.

Elche: Fernández – Gonzalez, Navarro Gomez, Verdú, Soler (Castanos, 58.) – Montano (Alminana, – at half-time), Antón (J. Rodríguez, – at half-time), Tenza (Vázquez Cano, 58.) – Martínez Norena (Munoz, 42.), J. García (A. García, 42.), P. Canizares.

Goals: Canizares (29., 58.), Munoz (60.).