5 Star Fradi Sweep Aside Tepid Tobol

Ferencvaros put on a show in front of a packed Groupama Arena as they made light work of Kazakh opponents FK Tobol, dismissing their visitors with ease in a 5-star performance. Goals from Adama Traore (2), Aissa Laidouni, and Fortune Bassey (2) sealed a comfortable night’s work for Ferencvaros as they booked their place in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the Champions League.

After an easily forgettable 0-0 draw in Kazakhstan last week, Ferencvaros acted quickly to put the second leg to bed by taking the game to Tobol from the off. Norwegian forward Tokmac, normally so reliable in front of goals, slipped and sliced an effort from no more than 8 yards off the bar inside two minutes.

60 seconds later and Fradi did have their early goal as the impressive Adama Traore rose unchallenged to head home following a neat short corner between Civic and Tokmac.

The early goal calmed any pre-match nerves, allowing Ferencvaros to settle into their dominating and direct style of play. Wingo and Civic pushed forwards on the wings when on the attack, altering the starting 4-2-3-1 formation into a fluid 2-3-3-1/2-5-3, providing additional width alongside Tokmac and Traore. The latter two also drifting inside with Boli dropping deep and Zachariassen pushing forwards, causing immense confusion in the Topol backline.

Fully settled into the game and causing problems with their quick and direct style, Fradi soon doubled their advantage as Traore latched onto a perfectly weighted through pass from Tokmac before sliding his angled drive beyond the keeper and into the net.

Before the dust had settled on the second, Laidouni cooly side-footed home a third from 20 yards range after Adama Traore turned provider with an inch-perfect lay-off. 20 minutes in and the tie was all but over. Topol had barely touched the ball inside the Ferencvaros half by this stage.

However, Igor Sergeev did breathe some life into the game at the midway point of the first half, prodding home following good work on the right by Zoran Tosic who had eluded the Fradi defence to hit the byline and pick out his forward with a cutback.

The goal gave Tobol a slight boost and Amanovic was the next to hit the byline, cutting back for Tagybergen only for the midfielder to lose his footing and mis-hit at the vital moment.

By the end of the half, Ferencvaros had regained the ascendency with Zachariassen and Boli both going close to extending their advantage.

Instead, Fradi had to wait until the final quarter of an hour to put the icing on the cake as substitute Fortune Bassey tapped in two late goals. The first coming after a cross-shot from Zachariassen found its way to his feet in front of an empty net, and the second following a great, lung-busting run forward from Henry Wingo.

In between Bassey’s goals, Topol was reduced to 10 men as substitute Muzhikov picked up two quick bookings. The concession of a player being rendered moot due to Fradi’s utter dominance when the sides had equal players.

The outcome of the match had been a formality since the mid-point of the first half and Fradi marched into the Second Qualifying Round as they attempt to reach the Champions League Group Stage once more.