What a match! FC Sion came from behind for long periods to win 2-1 against FC Vaduz after a dazzling finish. Didier Tholot's men showed their mental strength to pick up a fourth victory in 2024.
The facts
Taken by surprise, the Valaisans got off to a complicated start. Aggressive and enterprising, the players from the Principality created the first chances of the match. After several saves and even a Gelmi shot against the post, Fayulu had to concede defeat in the 22nd minute. From Liechtenstein's second corner of the evening, Rastoder saw his cross-shot blocked by Kabacalman in his own net.
At the end of the first half, the Sédunois tried to respond. Five minutes before the break, they even looked like equalising when Berdayes deflected a free-kick past keeper Büchel. Unfortunately, the 21-year-old striker was in an offside position. The equaliser would have to wait.
The second half was much better. Didier Tholot's men were soon putting pressure on the FC Vaduz goalkeeper and creating chances in the penalty area. Berdayes' header, Chouaref's back-heel and Bua's lob all created chances galore, but to no avail.
In vain, or almost in vain. Just as it looked as though they were heading for defeat, their first in thirteen games, the heart and selflessness of the Valaisans made the difference. First, in the 85th minute, when Dejan Sorgic headed home Chipperfield's cross to give FC Sion an equaliser. Then, in the last chance of the game, it was Sorgic again who pounced to meet Souza's cross and give Sédun the win.
At the end of a thrilling finish, FC Sion secured a fourth successive victory in 2024 and are now top of the Challenge League more than ever!
The reactions
Numa Lavanchy, FC Sion defender:
"It's the kind of win that brings a group together. At half-time, we told ourselves that we had to keep working and stay positive. Nothing was finished.
"This match is proof that our team is mature and that it wants to do things together, right to the end.
"We didn't get off to a good start, but it wasn't all doom and gloom in the first half. We also had our chances.
"In the second half, we pushed forward. I think we deserved the result. We wanted to win. We could have settled for a draw after the equaliser, but we needed more!"
The line-up
FC Vaduz - FC Sion 1-2 (1-0)
Vaduz, Rheinpark Stadium, 1492 spectators.
Referees: Turkes; Bürgi, Zihlmann; Anex.
Goals: 22' Kabacalman (csc, 1-0), 86' Sorgic (1-1), 94' Sorgic (1-2)
Warnings: 57' Berdayes, 60' Djokic, 66' Büchel, 72' Gelmi, 86' Fehr.
FC Sion: Fayulu; Lavanchy, Schmied (84' Zagré), Ziegler, Hefti; Bua, Kabacalman; Berdayes (60' Baltazar), Chouaref (78' Souza), Rusev (59' Chipperfield); Sorgic.
FC Vaduz: Büchel; Fehr, Gelmi, Berisha (83' Rahimi), Kräuchi; Djokic (68' Hadzi), Fosso, Emini, Cavegn (80' Stöber); Golliard; Rastoder (69' Väyrynen).
Notes: Sion without Itaitinga (injured) and Bouchlarhem (suspended). Vaduz without Njie, Wieser (suspended), Gajic, Hasler, Ibrisimovic, Isik and Traber (injured).
What's next
FC Sion will cross Switzerland again next Friday. The Valais outfit will take on FC Schaffhausen on home soil!
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