Crvena zvezda beat FK Spartaks Jūrmala 2-0 in Belgrade to ensure passage into UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round. It was a nervy evening as Latvian side's defence looked solid for most of the match and red-and-whites struggling to break them down. But a couple of late goals eased the tension and kept Zvezda on course to the group stage.
Ground: Rajko Mitić Stadium
Referee: Alper Ulusoy (Turkey)
Attendance: 23,868
Goalscorers: Ben 78', Krstičić 81'
Teams:
Crvena zvezda: Borjan, Stojković, Savić, Degenek, Rodić, Krstičić, Jovičić, Milić, Ebecilio, Radonjić, Ben.
Substitutes: Popović, Babić, Gobeljić, Meleg, Jevtović, Jovančić, Pavkov.
FK Spartaks: Nerugals, Freimanis, Ošs, Kosorić, Šlampe, Dmitriev, Maleev, Silva, Kobzar, Višnakovs, Svarups.
Substitutes: Melecis, Stuglis, Aguirre, Smith Medina, Mihadjuks, Davydov
Crvena zvezda were left frustrated after the first 45 minutes win which they came close on a couple occasions through Milić and Ben, but generally lacked a real spark that would turn possesion into goals. Most attacks were made on the left flank where Milan Rodić and especially Nemanja Radonjić exposed Spartaks' defence with fine overlaping runs.
Our best chance came on 35 minutes when a left-hand side cross was met by the head of Nemanja Milić. However, it was well tipped over by Jevgenijs Nerugals.
El Fardou Ben Nabouhane fired a wicked low free kick from the edge of the area a few minutes before the break, but Nerugals once again saved his team with a low dive to his left.
First 45 minutes passed with no goals and Vladan Milojević needed to encourage the team to go out and break down well-organized visitors from Latvia.
Second half brought more of the same with red-and-whites keeping the ball and trying to find a gap in Spartaks' defensive wall.
Vladan Milojević sent Milan Pavkov on in an attempt to add more physical presence upfront and it proved very useful as the big striker kept the ball well and helped disrupt Latvian defenders.
Breakthrough came on 78 minutes when El Fardou Ben finished off Milan Pavkov knock-down to send Crvena zvezda fans into raptures. It was the goal Crvena zvezda were searcing to end frustration and propel the Belgrade club toward the next round.
Just three minutes later Nenad Krstičić backheeled home after a smart one-two he had played with Dejan Meleg on the right-hand side. This goal effectively ended the game as it became obvious Crvena zvezda were the team to progress to the next round.
Final whistle brought jubilation as a meeting with champions of Lithuania FK Sūduva Marijampolė, who beat APOEL FC of Cyprus 3-2 on aggregate.