Partizan blow two goal cushion

Partizan spurned a 2 goal lead against Fenerbahce in their 3rd round first-leg Champions League qualifier in Belgrade last night. Slavisa Jokanovic’s men, going into the match as clearer underdogs against last season’s quarter-finalists and Turkish champions, dominated the first half. In one of the best 45 minutes of football witnessed at Humska in many a year, Partizan tore into the Turks, managed by former Spain boss Luis Aragones, to move 2-0 up within the first 15 minutes. Partizan blow two goal cushion With only 11 minutes on the clock, Lamine Diarra laid the ball back to Stevanovic, whose accurate cross to the far post was nodded home by Veljko Paunovic. Scarcely had the fans stopped celebrating the first goal than three minutes later Bogunic sent Diarra through one-on-one with Fenerbahce keeper Volkan Demirel. Although Demirel was able to parry the Senegalese striker’s shot, the ball broke back to the onrushing Bogunic, who gratefully tucked the ball home to double the home side’s lead. By this time, delirium was reigning in the stands, and a return to the Champion’s League after a six-year absence was becoming ever more tangible. With the Turkish defence in disarray, Bogunic was only denied a third goal in 23 minutes by the linesman’s flag. Lazic sent a hopeful ball into the penalty area that clipped the striker, looping high into the air and beyond Demirel’s despairing clutches. However, just as the South stand was about to erupt for a third time, the referee ruled that Bogunic had strayed into an offside position. The match tightened considerably after this incident, as the Turkish champions began to find their feet, with Guisa and Roberto Carlos both going close. In the meantime, Diarra was inches away from adding a third for Partizan, after being put through on the keeper. However, rather than round Demirel, the striker decided to shoot early, and though his shot evaded the keeper, the ball slipped past the far post for a goal kick. With 45 minutes played, and the half-time interval beckoning, disaster struck for Partizan. Milovan Sikimic brought Alex down in the penalty area, and referee Craig Thomson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The Brazilian striker converted with ease to bring Fenerbahce back into the tie. Things got even worse four minutes into the second half. Lugano sent a long ball from deep inside his own half that was flicked on by Shenturk at the edge of the Partizan penalty box. The ball broke to the unmarked Guisa, who comfortably slotted home to level the match, as the referee turned a deaf ear to the Partizan players’ [justified, as TV replays proved] appeals of offside. The action in the remaining 40 minutes was markedly subdued, as the visitors seemed content to hold on for 2-2, while Partizan simply seemed to run out of ideas. The Serbian champions had one last chance to seal victory seven minutes from time, when following a corner, a goalmouth scramble ensued, with the ball falling to Paunovic 12 yards out, but he sent his shot sailing over the crossbar when it seemed easier to score. Fenerbahce then go into the return leg in Istanbul in a fortnight’s time as hot favorites to reach the Champions League group stages. Alex and Obradovic in action last night (FoNet)

Partizan blow two goal cushion

With only 11 minutes on the clock, Lamine Diarra laid the ball back to Stevanović, whose accurate cross to the far post was nodded home by Veljko Paunović.

Scarcely had the fans stopped celebrating the first goal than three minutes later Bogunić sent Diarra through one-on-one with Fenerbahce keeper Volkan Demirel. Although Demirel was able to parry the Senegalese striker’s shot, the ball broke back to the onrushing Bogunić, who gratefully tucked the ball home to double the home side’s lead.

By this time, delirium was reigning in the stands, and a return to the Champion’s League after a six-year absence was becoming ever more tangible.

With the Turkish defence in disarray, Bogunić was only denied a third goal in 23 minutes by the linesman’s flag. Lazić sent a hopeful ball into the penalty area that clipped the striker, looping high into the air and beyond Demirel’s despairing clutches. However, just as the South stand was about to erupt for a third time, the referee ruled that Bogunić had strayed into an offside position.

The match tightened considerably after this incident, as the Turkish champions began to find their feet, with Guisa and Roberto Carlos both going close. In the meantime, Diarra was inches away from adding a third for Partizan, after being put through on the keeper. However, rather than round Demirel, the striker decided to shoot early, and though his shot evaded the keeper, the ball slipped past the far post for a goal kick.

With 45 minutes played, and the half-time interval beckoning, disaster struck for Partizan. Milovan Sikimić brought Alex down in the penalty area, and referee Craig Thomson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The Brazilian striker converted with ease to bring Fenerbahce back into the tie.

Things got even worse four minutes into the second half. Lugano sent a long ball from deep inside his own half that was flicked on by Shenturk at the edge of the Partizan penalty box. The ball broke to the unmarked Guisa, who comfortably slotted home to level the match, as the referee turned a deaf ear to the Partizan players’ [justified, as TV replays proved] appeals of offside.

The action in the remaining 40 minutes was markedly subdued, as the visitors seemed content to hold on for 2-2, while Partizan simply seemed to run out of ideas.

The Serbian champions had one last chance to seal victory seven minutes from time, when following a corner, a goalmouth scramble ensued, with the ball falling to Paunović 12 yards out, but he sent his shot sailing over the crossbar when it seemed easier to score.

Fenerbahce then go into the return leg in Istanbul in a fortnight’s time as hot favorites to reach the Champions League group stages.