Mozzart Bet Serbian Super Liga round 6 match
Venue: TC Vozdovac Stadium
Kick-off time: 8pm CET
Referee: Pavle Ilic
Yellow cards: Lukovic, Charles, Delevic (IMT) – Saldanha, Menig, Stojkovic (PAR)
GOALS: 1-0 `5 Vukic, 2-0 `56 Kodzic, 2-1 `70 Saldanha, 2-2 `90+1 Natcho, 2-3 90+5 Nikolic
Teams:
IMT
Gordic, Glisic, Lambulic, Savic, Cirkovic, Radocaj, Kijevcanin (` 68 Charles), Kodzic (`62 Stamenic), Vukic (`83 Stefanovic), M Lukovic, L Lukovic (`83 Delevic)
PARTIZAN
Jovanovic, Stojkovic, Ilic, Markovic, Antic, Kanoute (`56 Natcho), Belic, Kalulu, Severina (`77 Zahid), Menig (`74 Nikolic), Saldanha
Belgrade, September 3
Partizan made a great comeback to win IMT 3-2 in a SSL round 6 game. Boss Igor Duljaj made only one change from his regular starting line-up, Kalulu coming in for Natcho.
It didn`t start well as hosts scored early in the game. Lost midfield possession led to a counter-attack, initial attempt was saved by Jovanovic but unmarked Vukic made no mistake and scored for a 1-0 IMT lead.
Recovering from on early shock, Partizan started created opportunities. IMT keeper saved from Saldanha on 7 and Stojkovic on 9 while Saldanha missed the target on 11. Menig`s shot on 13 and Severina`s on 18 were comfortably saved by the keeper.
Kalulu sent a sharp low cross for Saldanha on 21 but the keeper claimed the ball just before Brazilian could get a touch while Severina saw his good attempt on 27 tapped over the bar by the keeper.
IMT keeper saved fine long range attempt from Kalulu on 34 and dived to tip the ball out for a corner-kick on 36 after a tricky low free-kick shot from Kanoute.
Menig missed the target with his sharp angled shot on 38 while Kalulu sent the ball high over the bar on 42.
Finally, in the first half injury time, Menig hits the post with his trademark Rashford-like angled attempt to sum up Partizan first half performance – a bit unlucky, a bit poor finishing-wise and up against keeper in a very good mood.
Second half started where Partizan left of before the break – opportunities kept coming as well as overall siege of IMT net.
Kalulu was first to miss the target on 47 with his effort inside the box while Saldanha hit the outside netting with his attempt on 48.
Saldanha was booked for his late challenge inside IMT box on 52 while IMT doubled the lead on 56 after another Partizan midfield error and poor defensive positioning as a result, for unmarked Kodzic to score from his first-touch close raneg shot after a pinpoint cross from Radocaj, 2-0 IMT.
Boss Duljaj reacted by sending Natcho on the field for Kanoute moments later while Stojkovic managed to score on the hour but his goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review.
Menig was booked on 66 for his late tackle and Partizan finally scored on 71 – brilliant long pass from Belic, Saldanha chests the ball brilliantly as well and shows a bit of Brazilian skill to make it 2-1.
Siege continued and Menig send another trademark angled drive wide on 73 only to get subbed moments later for Nikolic to make his cameo, while Zahid came in for Severina on 77.
Another midfield blunder almost led to another IMT goal – long run from Radocaj ended with IMT player hitting a crossbar with his angled effort.
Stojkovic saw his shot get blocked on 80 while Belic sent the ball high over the bar on 83.
Best opportunity of the game was missed by Saldanha who headed the ball over the bar from close range on 87.
On a stroke of injury time, Belic broke into the box, Glisic brings him down and referee points to the spot, Natcho makes it 2-2!!
Finally, great fighting spirit performance paid of deep into the injury time – pass from Saldanha was turned into a goal by sub Nikolic who sent a low shot inside the box into the far corner of the net for a Partizan 3-2 lead and massive celebration of full Partizan squad and great number of away fans who made it to TC Vozdovac ground.
There was no time for shocked IMT to try and get an equalizer. Partizan was rewarded for never-say-die attitude and deserved to win after a total of 21 shots towards home side net.
