Totr to make it 2-0 by Dominik Schwizer (FC Vaduz) | Photo: Gregor Meier
Vaduz took command right from the start and quickly shifted the game to the Unterlanders’ half of the pitch, where gaps appeared, especially on the left side of the USV defense. In the 12th minute, Stephan Seiler took a free kick from eleven meters – the ball was deflected over the crossbar at the last moment by a defender’s leg. In the 16th minute, Brian Beyer almost got through, but Livio Meier cleared for a corner at the last second.
The first big chance of the game belonged to Vaduz in the 21st minute: Milos Cocic crossed to the head of Marcel Monsberger, but Gabriel Foser was there with a strong reflex and follow-up.
After half an hour the lead fell. After an attack via Ronaldo Dantas Fernandes and Stephan Seiler, Marcel Monsberger made an ideal pass for Brian Beyer, who scored from close range to make it 1-0. In the 34th minute, Monsberger missed the opportunity: he turned around his opponent in the penalty area, but hit his low shot just past the far post.
The 2-0 was a goal of a special class: Dominik Schwizer took a half-volley from the left in the 39th minute and hit the far corner of the cross – a wow went through the stadium. But the lead only lasted a minute: Giosuè Schulthess passed in front of the goal from the right, Filip Radojicic held out his foot and reduced the score to 2-1.
Second half: equalizer, renewed lead and the decision
The second half started with chances on both sides. In the 52nd minute, Schulthess tried a lob over Büchel, who was standing far in front of the goal – the ball went just past the left post. Shortly afterwards the ball came to Medin Murati, who didn’t hit it optimally from around ten meters.
After Mischa Eberhard was substituted for Ronaldo Dantas Fernandes (55th), the USV got a deserved equalizer in the 60th minute: Luka Krbanjevic headed in from a corner to make it 2-2. Vaduz responded with a double substitution – Luca Mack for Dominik Schwizer and Malik Sawadogo for Stephan Seiler.
The favorite’s answer didn’t take long to arrive: after a corner in the 66th minute, Mats Hammerich headed in to make it 3-2. The equalizer almost fell in the 72nd minute, but Benjamin Büchel saved with a foot save.
In the 75th minute, the USV defense was surprised. Brian Beyer had space and hit a hammer from almost 20 meters behind Gabriel Foser to make it 4-2.
But the Lower Countries didn’t give up: in stoppage time, substitute Mitko Gjorgjievski scored to make it 4-3 and once again caused tension.
