Mozzart Bet Serbian Super Liga, round 25 fixture
Venue: Partizan Stadium
Kick-off time: 6.05pm CET
Referee: Danilo Nikolic
Yellow cards: None
GOALS: 1-0 `37 Nikolic, 2-0 `76 Goh
Teams:
PARTIZAN
A Jovanovic, Roganovic, Ilic, Mujakic, Jurcevic, Scekic (Stjepanovic 80), Kovac (Alilovic 83), Natcho (Vukotic 73), Zubairu (Goh 73), Kalulu, Nikolic (Dj Jovanovic 73)
MLADOST
Savic, Bogdanovic (Zec 78), Cvetinovic, Golemic, Joksimovic, Udovicic, Tumbasevic, Ljubomirac (Marinkovic 88), Ciric (Varjacic 61), Bondzulic, Ortiz ( Krsmanovic HT)
Beograd, Feb 26
Very mature performance from Partizan led to a 2-0 win over fourth-placed Mladost Lucani who suffered only a third away defeat of the season.
Boss Blagojevic switched to back four for this one. Jurcevic was back on the left while Mujakic accompanied Ilic at the centre-back position with Roganovic playing inverted right-back for the most of the game. Natcho and Nikolic were back in a starting line-up after both making a crucial sub appearance in a last weekend`s Eternal derby game.
Partizan had a promising attack 40 seconds into the game. Ilic sent a pinpoint long ball into the Mladost box for Kalulu who headed it down for Nikolic but the keeper came out to claim the ball. On 3, Natcho sent a trademark through pass for Jurcevic whose shot was blocked for a Partizan corner-kick only.
Visitors threatened on 5 but Udovicic blasted the ball over the bar from his close range angled shot.
Nikolic laid it down for Jurcevic on 8 whose shot was blocked once again. Jurcevic returned the favour on 13 crossing it for Nikolic who headed the ball over the bar.
Scekic had a great opportunity on 19 but he hit the post with his fierce edge-of-the-box strike. On 25, ever lively Kalulu sent a return ball for Natcho whose heart-of-the-box shot was met by one of the many Mladost defensive blocks. On 30, Mladost keeper made a punching clearance only for ball to reach Natcho who shot wide.
Partizan played a patient passing game while Mladost decided to play behind the ball and try to threaten Partizan via counter-attacks. Ironically, it was Partizan who scored the opener on a break after a long ball forward for Kalulu who laid it down for Nikolic who scored his seventh goal of the season from angled close range shot. Partizan 1, Mladost 0.
On 39, Kalulu was in action again – this time he set up Kovac who sent ball over the bar.
It was more of the same after the break – Mladost defending and Partizan patiently looking for defensive gaps. Shot from Natcho on 51 got blocked while unmarked Zubairu saw his shot inside the box saved by the keeper on 52. Same player saw his shot blocked on 55 while Kalulu`s effort on 58 finished wide.
Just after the hour it showed Partizan had 77% possession and total of 18 shots compared to single attempt from Mladost.
Mladost keeper Savic made a save from Nikolic`s edge of the box strike on 67 and Partizan boss Blagojevic made his first subs of the evening on 73 introducing Goh, Djordje Jovanovic and Vukotic for Nikolic, Natcho and Zubairu.
It paid off 4 mins later when Goh scored a long range screamer! South Korean winger placed the ball into the top right corner of the net for a Partizan 2-0 lead!
Stjepanovic was in for Scekic on 80, while Alilovic came in for Kovac three mins later.
Youngster Alilovic tried his shot out on 87 but his left-footed effort just outside the box ended wide. Another sub Djordje Jovanovic scored on 88 but Ilic was caught offside in the process.
On 90, visitors sent only the second shot towards Partizan net but Krsamovic headed the ball wide. Finally, Jurcevic had a great opportunity in the stoppage time but Mladost keeper made another save to leave it at Partizan 2, Mladost 0.
Partizan is away to Tekstilac next Sunday for a SSL round 26 fixture.
