Mozzart Bet Serbian Super Liga, round 17
Venue: Partizan Stadium
Kick-off time: 2.55pm CET
Referee: Andrija Stojanovic
Yellow cards: Damjanic (JDV)
GOALS: 1-0 `46 Natcho, 2-0 `49 Nikolic, 3-0 `53 Zubairu
Teams:
PARTIZAN
A Jovanovic, Filipovic, Arriaga, Ilic, Jurcevic (`60 Jurcevic), Scekic, Kovac (`77 Owusu), Natcho (`58 Fuhrer), Kalulu, Zubairu (`77 Petrovic), Nikolic (77 D Jovanovic)
JEDINSTVO
V Jovanovic, Stevancevic (`70 Popovic), Acimovic, Damjanic, Golubovic, Matic, Arana (`85 Kiselcic), Miladinovic (`85 Majkic), Moreno (`70 MIlanovic), Rakic, Perez (`70 Damnjanovic)
After two back-to-back league draws, Partizan won Jedinstvo 3-0 at home to climb up to runners-up spot on the standings.
Boss Savo Milosevic made one starting line-up change from the previous outing - Scekic was in for Owusu in the central midfield.
Cold and breezy conditions possibly led to a fast pace game early on. Visitors threatened on 3 after two defensive blocks and low attempt from Miladinovic comfortably saved by A Jovanovic.
Partizan replied on 4 but our youngster on loan to Jedinstvo, 17-year-old Vukasin Jovanovic, had no trouble dealing with Zubairu`s 20m shot.
On 7, Vukasin Jovanovic made an instinctive foot-save from low and fierce strike by Kovac.
Partizan scored on 14 but a goal from Nikolic was disallowed after dubious VAR decision and foul by Zubairu on Jedinstvo keeper in the build-up.
Zubairu tested V Jovanovic once again on 19 while defensive block inside the box prevented Scekic from sending the ball towards the visitors net on 25.
A bit of a trouble in Partizan box on 28 after a couple of rebounds but Jurcevic managed to clear the ball out of the box eventually.
Nikolic had two consecutive opportunities on 33 and 35. His shot on 33 was saved by the keeper and his another attempt on 35 was met by a last gasp block.
On 42, Zubairu had a final opportunity of the first half but Jedinstvo defence dealt with it.
What a furious start of the second half by Partizan! Just 17 seconds after the restart, Natcho scored a 20m beauty, sending the ball into the left corner of the net from his left-footed drive for a Partizan 1-0 lead.
On 49, Kalulu sent a pinpoint inviting cross for Nikolic who did excellent job to get a touch inside 6-yard box to make it Partizan 2,Jedinstvo 0.
Persistent Kalulu sent another brilliant cross on 53, this time for Zubairu to head it in for Partizan 3-0 lead. Former Jedinstvo and second-tier top striker didn`t celebrate this goal in respect to his former club.
Kalulu was in a assisting mood once more on 54 but Zubairu failed to score a brace, sending the ball wide from close range.
Comfortable 3-0 lead allowed boss Milosevic to give Natcho a bit of a breather, subbing him with Fuhrer on 58. Jurcevic was subbed on the hour and in came brother of Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez – Marko Kerkez, also a left-back. This was his Partizan debut appearance.
Kalulu deserved to score today but his close range attempt on 62 was saved by the keeper.
Rare attack from visitors on 68, Moreno`s shot was met by a brave block from Kovac while Zubairu had another shot of his saved by youngster V Jovanovic on 71.
On 73, Kerkez was close to have a perfect Partizan debut but his close range angled effort was met by another save from V Jovanovic.
Boss Milosevic made three more subs on 77. Owusu came in for Kovac, young forward D Jovanovic made another cameo appearance for Nikolic, while youngster Petrovic made his cameo debut coming in for Zubairu.
On 85 and after a corner-kick cross from Kerkez, Arriaga was close to score his first Partizan goal but his header was brilliantly saved by V Jovanovic.
Partizan is home to Radnicki Nis on Wednesday for a SSL round 5 previously postponed fixture.
