binny

Thursday 28th August 2003
Vaduz [0] vs Hapoel Ramat-Gan (Israel) [1]
UEFA Cup, Qualifying Round, Second Leg

(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Tomas Votava, Sergiy Bezhenar, Michael Stocklasa; Benjamin Fischer, Hamid Reza Estili (capt), Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku, Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson. Substitutes: Manuel Zangger (gk), Vaidotas Slekys, Roger Stilz, Marius Zarn, Jérôme Walz, Baldwin Bazuaye, Pascal Thüler

We’re unchanged for our crucial European tie tonight. We’ve got to overcome a 1-0 deficit, meaning that we must score.

Ramat-Gan were content to sit back and soak up out pressure, and we never really got sight of their goal. D’Elia went very close with a header, before Khmelidze had to stoop low to keep out Caveda. Mançaku did have the ball in the back of the net on the half hour, but the effort was ruled out as Kristjánsson had strayed offside in the build up.

Things didn’t get much better in the second as we ran out of ideas. Only Kristjánsson came close to scoring, but the goalkeeper made an excellent save to knock us out of Europe at the first attempt.

Vaduz 0-0 Hapoel Ramat-Gan (0-1)
Goals: -
Attendance: 2014
Substitutions: Slekys, Stilz and Walz for Fischer, D’Elia and Bezhenar (69’)
Yellow Cards: Votava, D’Elia, Kryventsov, Kristjánsson (Vaduz), Halaila (Hapoel Ramat-Gan)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Patrick Mkhwanaizi 8

I’m bitterly disappointed that we weren’t able to convert our domestic goalscoring form into European goals, and the truth is that Ramat-Gan are not such a great side. Ah well, we’ll just have to concentrate on the league and our quest for promotion.

binny

Friday 29th August 2003
Vaduz vs Meyrin
Challenge League, Game 7 of 30

(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Pascal Thüler, Jérôme Walz, Sergiy Bezhenar, Michael Stocklasa (capt); Benjamin Fischer, Tomas Votava, Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Vaidotas Slekys, Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson. Substitutes: Manuel Zangger (gk), Daniele Polverino, Baldwin Bazuaye, Marius Zarn, Michele Polverino

Yet again we find ourselves playing two games in as many days, but at least this time both games are at home. There is though still the need to rest players, and Mkhwanaizi, Estili and Mançaku are given a rest. In come Thüler, Walz and Slekys.

An early effort from Kristjánsson that flew over was followed by long periods of midfield play, with nothing to show in terms of chances. As the half progressed we managed to get the occasional sight of goal, but the goalkeeper twice denied Slekys.

The second half was even worse as a spectacle. It took until two minutes from time before an effort on goal was made, but D’Elia saw his header parried to safety. But two minutes into injury time Bazuaye chipped the ball into the box and Vaidotas Slekys fired in an unlikely winner.

Vaduz 1-0 Meyrin
Goals: 90’ Slekys (1-0)
Attendance: 3022
Substitutions: D. Polverino for Kristjánsson (63’), Bazuaye and M. Polverino for Fischer and Bezhenar (77’)
Yellow Cards: Kryventsov (Vaduz), Rama, Zapico (Meyrin)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Pascal Thüler 9

We may well have had the better of the chances, but in truth it was a dire game, and we didn’t really deserve the victory. Not that I’m complaining, we’ll happily take the three points.

binny

Wednesday 3rd September 2003
Meyrin vs Vaduz
Challenge League, Game 8 of 30

(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Tomas Votava, Sergiy Bezhenar, Michael Stocklasa; Benjamin Fischer, Hamid Reza Estili (capt), Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku, Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson. Substitutes: Manuel Zangger (gk), Vaidotas Slekys, Roger Stilz, Marius Zarn, Jérôme Walz

With only a slender lead after the first game we recall the big guns to the side, and Mkhwanaizi, Estili and Mançaku all come back into the side as we look to extend our lead.

Estili came closest to scoring for us, but the goalkeeper expertly turned his shot away. Khmelidze had to be on hand to keep out Yoksuzoglu, and later on from Moës.

Meyrin were looking lively, and two shots from Zemp kept things interesting. Khmelidze though easily dealt with both efforts before we briefly threatened through Mançaku twice and Kristjánsson. Hildbrand fired well over whilst at the other end Stilz fired wide. Late on Schönmann saw an effort cannon off the foot of the post, and in the dying seconds Moës fired over.

Meyrin 0-0 Vaduz (0-1)
Goals: -
Attendance: 871
Substitutions: Stilz and Walz for Fischer and Estili (65’), Slekys for Votava (71’)
Yellow Cards: Bächtold (Meyrin), Bezhenar, Votava, Mançaku (Vaduz)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Valeriy Kryventsov 9

We were a little disappointing today in terms of our attacking play, but the advantage is that we’ve kept another clean sheet – our seventh in ten games this season. You can’t lose games if you don’t concede goals, and so we have a really pleasing basis for a promotion push, even at this early stage of the season.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Vaduz 8 5 3 0 21 5 +16 262nd Baden 8 5 2 1 8 1 +7 253rd Concordia BS 8 4 2 2 13 7 +6 224th Luzern 8 5 1 2 6 8 -2 225th Bulle 8 4 2 2 8 5 +3 186th Schaffhausen 8 3 3 2 10 8 +2 187th Bellinzona 8 2 3 3 11 11 0 178th Meyrin 8 2 4 2 9 7 +2 149th Winterthur 8 2 3 3 14 13 +1 1310th Chiasso 8 2 1 5 5 10 -5 1111th Yverdon 8 2 1 5 10 17 -7 1112th Delémont 8 1 3 4 11 14 -3 1013th La Chaux-de-Fonds 8 2 2 4 6 9 -3 1014th Wohlen 8 1 3 4 4 8 -4 815th Kriens 8 1 3 4 12 18 -6 816th Agno 8 1 2 5 5 12 -7 7</pre>

binny

Friday 12th September 2003
Bellinzona vs Vaduz
Challenge League, Game 9 of 30

(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Tomas Votava, Sergiy Bezhenar, Michael Stocklasa; Benjamin Fischer, Hamid Reza Estili (capt), Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku, Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson. Substitutes: Manuel Zangger (gk), Vaidotas Slekys, Baldwin Bazuaye, Marius Zarn, Jérôme Walz

Bellinzona have started the season quite well, but we should have enough in our tank to overcome them. Yet again we name an unchanged side.

For all my optimism, the side just weren’t at the races today. Khmelidze made two fantastic saves to deny Burla before making another save from Ianu. We did come close through Mançaku, and Burla fired wide before the end of the half.

Kristjánsson was denied by an excellent save early on, but on 57 Zanetti sent in a long free kick and Ianu nodded the ball on for Adrian Florin Pit to fire Bellinzona ahead. The goalkeeper did well to keep out a D’Elia free kick, and Kristjánsson fired inches wide just after. Ruso was denied by another Khmelidze save before Kristjánsson was twice denied by the goalkeeper. But as we pushed for an equaliser we opened ourselves at the back and fifteen minutes from time Pit crossed for Sandro Reclari to head home. Pit hit the foot of the post, and Khmelidze parried Reclari’s shot as Bellinzona looked to close out the tie.

Bellinzona 2-0 Vaduz
Goals: 57’ Pit (1-0), 75’ Reclari (2-0)
Attendance: 3042
Substitutions: Zarn and Walz for D’Elia and Estili (60’), Slekys for Votava (72’)
Yellow Cards: Andreoli (Bellinzona), Bezhenar, Zarn (Vaduz)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Massimo Immersi (Bellinzona) 9

For the first time this domestic season we’ve really been outplayed and full credit to Bellinzona for taking us apart. It gives me something to think about ahead of the return game on Wednesday. One thing’s for sure; we’ll be without Sergiy Bezhenar for the game. He was booked for the fourth time today and will serve a one-match ban.

binny

Wednesday 17th September 2003
Vaduz vs Bellinzona
Challenge League, Game 10 of 30

(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Tomas Votava, Jérôme Walz, Michele Polverino; Benjamin Fischer, Hamid Reza Estili (capt), Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku, Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson. Substitutes: Manuel Zangger (gk), Vaidotas Slekys, Baldwin Bazuaye, Marius Zarn, Pascal Thüler

We find ourselves behind for the first time this season, but we’re confident of getting enough to at least take the tie to penalties. Walz and Michele Polverino come in for the suspended Bezhenar and Michael Stocklasa, who has picked up a slight knock.

It was one-way traffic as we tried to get back into the tie. Kryventsov went close three times in the early exchanges and the excellent goalkeeper denied both Kristjánsson and Mançaku. Our breakthrough came four minutes before the break when Klötzli fouled Kryventsov in the box and Benjamin Fischer comfortably put away the penalty. Kryventsov forced a save from the goalkeeper a minute later, and Mkhwanaizi fired over late in the first half.

We just couldn’t get past the Bellinzona defence in the second half as they seemed content to defend their way to an aggregate victory, although they did have their excellent goalkeeper to thank for keeping over Mançaku and two late efforts from Michele Polverino.

Vaduz 1-0 Bellinzona (1-2)
Goals: 41’ Fischer (pen) (1-0)
Attendance: 3217
Substitutions: Slekys and Zarn for Kristjánsson and D’Elia (68’)
Yellow Cards: -
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Fausto Gargiulo (Bellinzona) 8

After a free flowing start to the season we seem to have gone off the boil recently, and have now scored only twice in our last five matches. I’m not entirely sure quite why that is, but it is something we must try to address before it starts to cost us.

binny

Friday 26th September 2003
Vaduz vs Winterthur
Challenge League, Game 11 of 30

(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Tomas Votava, Jérôme Walz, Michael Stocklasa; Benjamin Fischer, Hamid Reza Estili (capt), Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku, Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson. Substitutes: Manuel Zangger (gk), Vaidotas Slekys, Baldwin Bazuaye, Marius Zarn, Michele Polverino

Sergiy Bezhenar picked up a knock during the week, and so Walz keeps his place in the side. But Stocklasa is available again, and Polverino drops to the bench as we try to keep up our promotion push.

We came within inches of taking the lead in the early exchanges when D’Elia’s header cannoned off the post before Winterthur started to show their worth and Khmeldize made two good saves from Contini and Wissam. Kristjánsson came close to breaking the deadlock in our favour, and at the other save Wissam was denied by Khmelidze.

The breakthrough came nine minutes into the second half as D’Elia’s cross was headed home by Kristjánsson, although the ball did take a lucky deflection before finding the back of the net. On the hour our lead was doubled as Stocklasa headed forward and Kristjánsson drove low past the goalkeeper. It could have been more later on in the game, but Mançaku, Slekys and Zarn all fired over.

Vaduz 2-0 Winterthur
Goals: 54’ Kristjánsson (1-0), 60’ Kristjánsson (2-0)
Attendance: 3141
Substitutions: Slekys and Zarn for Mançaku and D’Elia (69’), Bazuaye for Fischer (77’)
Yellow Cards: Mkhwanaizi, D’Elia, Kryventsov (Vaduz), Barrita, Wissam (Winterthur)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson 10

It’s nice to put in a decent performance, and it’s good to see Kristjánsson back on the scoresheet with two very well-taken goals today.

binny

Friday 3rd October 2003
Winterthur vs Vaduz
Challenge League, Game 12 of 30

(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Tomas Votava, Jérôme Walz, Michael Stocklasa; Benjamin Fischer, Hamid Reza Estili (capt), Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku, Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson. Substitutes: Manuel Zangger (gk), Vaidotas Slekys, Roger Stilz, Marius Zarn, Michele Polverino

We’re unchanged as we look to wrap up victory against a Winterthur side who looked capable of scoring in Liechtenstein last week.

Contini fired wide an early warning shot, but we went up the other end and the post denied a header from Walz. On 14 Kristjánsson got down the wing and crossed for the unmarked Mançaku to put us ahead. D’Elia and Mançaku were both denied by excellent saves from the goalkeeper, but we were down to ten men on 25 when Tomas Votava was sent off for elbowing Wissam. It didn’t seem to affect us too badly as three minutes later Stocklasa played the ball over the top to Kryventsov who neatly laid the ball off to Mançaku who drove in. But within four minutes Winterthur were back in the game. Khmelidze spilled Haid’s long-range effort, but Blake managed to get the ball across the face of the goal for Giorgio Contini to stab home. Two minutes later the game was level as Thoma played in Contini to equalise on the night. Worse was to follow. Five minutes before the break Wissam played in Contini to complete his hatrick, and three minutes later Thoma again found Contini who scored a fourth.

We moved to a more defensive formation in the second half, restricting Winterthur to only one effort, and that fell to Contini again. Late on we managed to break occasionally, but we couldn’t get the final pass, and the bonus points would be decided by spotkicks.

We decided to take first and Slekys put us ahead. Thoma equalised, but Mkhwanaizi’s effort was well saved. Khmelidze kept us in the tie with an excellent save from Contini, but we again lost the initiative when captain Estili skied his effort over the bar. Stamm though saw his effort saved, and successful efforts from Kryventsov and Weller took the game to an effective sudden death. Michele Polverino put the pressure on Schnarwiler who fired high and wide as we claimed the bonus points.

Winterthur 4-2 Vaduz (4-4 / Pen: 2-3)
Goals: 14’ Mançaku (0-1), 28’ Mançaku (0-2), 32’ Contini (1-2), 34’ Contini (2-2), 40’ Contini (3-2), 43’ Contini (4-2)
Attendance: 3060
Substitutions: Polverino for Kristjánsson (45’), Slekys for Fischer (72’)
Yellow Cards: Schnarwiler (Winterthur), Fischer, Mançaku (Vaduz)
Red Cards: 25’ Tomas Votava (Vaduz)
Man of the Match: Giorgio Contini (Winterthur) 10

It was probably my mistake in not bringing on another defender until half time that cost us the four goals today, but it wouldn’t have been an issue had Votava not been so stupid. The Czech will serve at least one match ban, but it could be extended if the Swiss FA deem it necessary.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Concordia BS 12 7 2 3 22 10 +12 352nd Baden 12 6 5 1 12 3 +9 353rd Vaduz 12 7 3 2 26 11 +15 344th Luzern 12 7 3 2 14 12 +2 345th Schaffhausen 12 6 3 3 20 15 +5 296th Bulle 12 6 2 4 12 12 0 247th Bellinzona 12 3 4 5 16 17 -1 238th Meyrin 12 3 6 3 15 12 +3 219th Winterthur 12 3 4 5 20 19 +1 2110th Wohlen 12 3 4 5 11 12 -1 1911th Yverdon 12 3 2 7 15 24 -9 1712th Delémont 12 2 4 6 16 19 -3 1613th Kriens 12 2 4 6 17 22 -5 1614th La Chaux-de-Fonds 12 3 3 6 10 17 -7 1415th Chiasso 12 2 4 6 6 14 -8 1416th Agno 12 1 3 8 7 20 -13 8</pre>

binny

Wednesday 8th October 2003
Bulle vs Vaduz
Challenge League, Game 13 of 30

(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Jérôme Walz, Sergiy Bezhenar, Michael Stocklasa; Benjamin Fischer, Hamid Reza Estili (capt), Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku, Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson. Substitutes: Manuel Zangger (gk), Vaidotas Slekys, Roger Stilz, Marius Zarn, Pascal Thüler

Sergiy Bezhenar is back from injury in time to replace the suspended Tomas Votava at the back. Bulle have made a decent start, but we are hot favourites to win according to the bookmakers.

We played well early on, and D’Elia was denied by a good save. Kristjánsson also came close, but he could only shoot wide after his first shot had been parried back into his path. Bulle came close to taking the lead twice through Bytyqi, but five minutes before the break we took the lead. Sergiy Bezhenar floated in a corner, and although Walz’s effort was blocked, Kristjánsson was on hand to turn the ball home. Mançaku had a chance to put us further ahead, but he shot over the bar.

Stocklasa and Kryventsov shot wide either side of a Khmelidze save from Bytyqi were the only points of real note in the first part of the second period, but the game was wrapped up fourteen minutes from time when Kristjánsson chipped the ball into the box for the unmarked Mançaku to turn the ball home.

Bulle 0-2 Vaduz
Goals: 40’ Kristjánsson (0-1), 76’ Mançaku (0-2)
Attendance: 693
Substitutions: Stilz and Thüler for Estili and Mkhwanaizi (64’), Slekys for Mançaku (77’)
Yellow Cards: Murith (Bulle)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Fabio D’Elia 9

A decent performance from us if not spectacular, and we can now look to build on this. It was good to see both of the front two scoring again, but we can see than Bulle can be dangerous on the break, especially their young striker Bytyqi.

The Swiss FA informed us during the week that Tomas Votava would be suspended for a further two games following his sending off against Winterthur.

binny

Friday 24th October 2003
Vaduz vs Bulle
Challenge League, Game 14 of 30

(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Jérôme Walz, Michael Stocklasa, Michele Polverino; Benjamin Fischer, Hamid Reza Estili (capt), Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku, Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson. Substitutes: Manuel Zangger (gk), Vaidotas Slekys, Roger Stilz, Marius Zarn, Pascal Thüler

We’re looking to tie up victory today against Bulle, but the defence is looking a bit shaky today. We’re already without Tomas Votava, but Sergiy Bezhenar has a slight knock and Michele Polverino is given a chance to shine at right back.

The first half was pretty bereft of action. Kristjánsson and Grosso came close to breaking the deadlock at either end, and late on D’Elia cracked a free kick inches wide of the post.

We started the second half determined to get ahead and both Kristjánsson and Mançaku came close to giving us the lead. The honour was left to Benjamin Fischer to score the goal, heading in from Thüler’s corner. D’Elia was denied by an excellent save and Stilz sent a free kick over as the lead never looked like being lost.

Vaduz 1-0 Bulle (3-0)
Goals: 51’ Fischer (1-0)
Attendance: 238
Substitutions: Stilz and Thüler for Kryventsov and Stocklasa (45’), Zarn for D’Elia (71’)
Yellow Cards: Walz, D’Elia (Vaduz), Zaugg (Bulle)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Michele Polverino 9

It was good to get the full eight points over the two games, but it would have been nice to put the ties to bed with a few more goals. Still, a win is a win and we can’t complain too much.

binny

Friday 31st October 2003
Vaduz vs Baden
Challenge League, Game 15 of 30

(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Jérôme Walz, Sergiy Bezhenar, Michael Stocklasa; Benjamin Fischer, Hamid Reza Estili (capt), Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku, Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson. Substitutes: Manuel Zangger (gk), Vaidotas Slekys, Roger Stilz, Marius Zarn, Michele Polverino

Baden are having a good season, and we expect them to give us a tough tie today. The only change to the side sees the return of Sergiy Bezhenar in place of Michele Polverino.

The game took a while to get going, and it was only when Khmelidze had to pull off an excellent save from Özcakmak that we woke up. Kryventsov shot wide and Fischer was denied by an excellent save on the line. Kristjánsson was denied by the post as we started to get our act together.

We were again the better side in the second half, but again we failed to take our chances. Kryventsov fired over and Estili shot wide before Kristjánsson was again denied by the woodwork.

Vaduz 0-0 Baden
Goals: -
Attendance: 3192
Substitutions: Stilz and Polverino for Fischer and Bezhenar (67’), Slekys for Estili (79’)
Yellow Cards: Mkhwanaizi, Walz, D’Elia (Vaduz), Ferranti (Baden)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Michael Stocklasa 9

I still feel that we’re not firing on all cylinders, and despite sitting at the top of the table at the halfway stage, I still feel that there is room for improvement. Hopefully Baden will not defend totally during the second game on Wednesday, and we must take our chances.