Mladost and Crvena zvezda dished up a frantic goalless draw in the Kup Srbije Semi Final Second Leg as goalkeepers Milan Borjan and Dragan Rosić performed miracles on either end of the pitch. In the end, that 4-1 win from the first leg was enough for Zvezda to reach the final.
Ground: Stadion Mladost, Lučani
Referee: Petar Piper
Mladost: Rosić, Andrić, Leković, Milošević, Šatara, Pejović, Tumbasević (81’ Pavlović), Bojić, Radivojević, L Jovanović, Bojović (46’ Odita).
Crvena zvezda: Borjan, Stojković, Milunović, Babić, Rodić, Jovičić, Jovančić, Ben (76’ Gobeljić), Marin (84’ Vulić), Ivanić (70’ Vukanović), Pavkov.
Boss Vladan Milojević was adamant going into this match that his team wouldn't relax despite holding the 4-1 lead from the first leg and that they'd play as if it was 0-0 in Belgrade. His team selection certainly reflected this as he picked a very strong side indeed.
Both team started brightly on a pitch that looked OK despite heavy rains that hit Serbia in the previous days.
Borjan made an early save from Lazar Jovanović before Marko Marin fired a shot that looked destined for the top corner, but for the diving goalkeeper Dragan Rosić.
Milan Borjan was called upon again on 18 minutes with Janko Tumbasević finding space for a header on target. Still, the Canada international was alert and gathered the ball with confidence.
As the half time break approached, the champions started to close in on what would be the opening goal of the match, but Jovičić and Marin could only come so close.
Mladost's Nigerian vetaran Obiora Odita came on in the second half and came close to becoming a hero for the hosts. He had three golden chances in a frantic five-minute spell midway through the second half, but somehow he was kept out – a cobination of woodwork, Borjan and poor finishing saved Zvezda's net.
A few more chances came Zvezda's way, but Marko Marin didn't have enough luck as he hit the post in the dying minutes.
Final whistle brought celebrations for the red and whites as both goalkeepers rightfully gathered praise for their respective performances.