Tamás Feczkó made two changes to the starting line-up that had taken the field in Szeged. Gergő Rácz was given the opportunity in goal instead of Tomás Tujvel (although because of injury our experienced goalkeeper had also played only 16 minutes in the previous round), while Bonifác Csonka replaced Dominik Csontos, who had been injured in training during the week. After the opening quarter-hour we controlled the game, while the visitors focused more on counter-attacks, although several heavy challenges also raised the temperature. In the 16th minute, after Bódi's corner, Varga headed the ball and nearly found Kártik with it, but Csonka cleared with remarkable composure. We had to wait until the 25th minute for the first more serious shot, when our former player Kristóf Herjeczki tried his luck, sending the ball over the goal; moments later Ádám Szamosi did the same at the other end. In the 41st minute Medgyes controlled Szabó's pass superbly and immediately went for Fadgyas's goal, but his shot died in the Barcika goalkeeper's hands.
After the restart the visitors came close to taking the lead: first Pethő headed Bódi's cross against the post, then after a Bódi corner Kristóf was able to shoot from point-blank range, but Rácz was in position. In the 57th minute, after a pass from Medgyes, Hangya pushed the ball forward with good timing inside the box, but Baranyai dispossessed our captain in a highly questionable manner and the referee's whistle remained silent. In the 64th minute Herjeczki received the ball near the right corner of the penalty area and shot, but Rácz saved again. In the 66th minute Kántor aimed for the left side of the goal after a fine solo run, but his effort went wide. That was his final contribution; his replacement, Benedek Simon, returning from a long injury, made his first appearance since November 10, Round 13. Interestingly, Barcika had been the opponents then as well. In the 75th minute Polgárbeat everyone to Bódi's corner and headed past Rácz from point-blank range (0-1).
In the closing stages the atmosphere boiled over at the Bozsik Arena because of referee Zierkelbach's decisions. He sent off Medgyes as well as our assistant coach István Paulik, and in the disputed situations he repeatedly seemed to favour the visitors. The score did not change after that, meaning we suffered our first defeat in six matches overall and, at home, our first loss after five consecutive wins.
MERKANTIL BANK LIGA, ROUND 28
BUDAPEST HONVÉD FC–Kolorcity Kazincbarcika SC 0–1 (0–0)
Bozsik Arena, 2,712 spectators. Referee: Zierkelbach Péter (Aradi József, Nagy Viktor).
BUDAPEST HONVÉD: Rácz – Szabó A., Baki, Csonka – Bévárdi, Pekár (Csilus, 73.), Szamosi (Somogyi, 73.), Hangya (Pauljevic, 79.) – Keresztes (Pinte, 66.), Kántor (Simon, 66.), Medgyes. Head coach: Feczkó Tamás
Kazincbarcika: Fadgyas – Baranyai, Varga, Polgár, Lajcsik – Kristóf, Lucas – Kártik (Csatári, 79.) – Bódi (Katona, 86.), Pethő (Ramos, 60.), Herjeczki (Makrai – at half-time). Head coach: Erős Gábor
G: Polgár (75.).
RC: Medgyes (88.).
Feczkó Tamás:
First of all, congratulations to Barcika, because they were better by one set piece. Both teams played very tactically and prepared well for each other, which was also reflected in the quality of the chances. Essentially neither team had a clear-cut opportunity. In the first 15 minutes we opened them up well down the flanks, but mistakes repeatedly crept into our final passes. We had not conceded from a set piece for twelve matches, so it is frustrating that this is how we lost, although we were playing a very good team. For the first time we failed to score at home, which I deeply regret. In fact, almost only the players sitting in the stands did not get a yellow card; Medgyes's sending-off was completely incomprehensible to me. Three legitimate goals have been disallowed for us this spring and four penalties were not awarded that even the opponents were surprised about.
Gábor Erős:
First of all, I would like to congratulate Kisvárda on the championship. In the first half I felt that both sides were rushing their play. It was a high-tempo match but with many technical errors. I think we played better in the second half, managed to create chances and headed against the post, so perhaps today we were that one goal better than Honvéd. Hats off to our opponents, because they play very good football and have a strong team. I can only speak about my team in superlatives; winning here is a huge achievement. I am very proud of my players.
Match highlights:
