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Wednesday 5th November 2003 Baden vs Vaduz
Challenge League, Game 16 of 30
(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Jérôme Walz, 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, Michele Polverino
Baden showed their capabilities last week, but they’ll need to come out of their shell if they want to have any chance of winning the points. That should give us the opportunity to break forward. Patrick Mkhwanaizi tore his groin muscle and is out until after the winter break, and Tomas Votava comes back from suspension to take his place in the side.
We took a mere 18 seconds to score as Fischer’s cross was met with a diving header from Kristjánsson. But just five minutes later Baden were level as Slavisa Dugic latched onto a loose ball in the box and fired in. Fischer was denied by an excellent as we almost replied immediately, but it took until 24 for the next goal to go in. D’Elia’s corner was met by the head of Mançaku. His effort was kept out by the goalkeeper, but Tomas Votava was on hand to restore our lead with his first goal for the club. Khmelidze made a fantastic save to deny Eich at the other end, and late on Kryventsov fired a free kick over the bar.
Kristjánsson missed two great opportunities to extend our lead in the early part of the second half, and in the last few minutes Mançaku again found the woodwork in the way of his effort. In injury time Khmelidze made an excellent stop to keep out Eich, but Stilz missed an opportunity to wrap the game up when he shot wide.
Baden 1-2 Vaduz (1-2)
Goals: 1’ Kristjánsson (0-1), 6’ Dugic (1-1), 24’ Votava (1-2)
Attendance: 3015
Substitutions: Stilz and Polverino for Estili and Bezhenar (70’), Slekys for Kristjánsson (75’)
Yellow Cards: Dugic (Baden), Kryventsov (Vaduz)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Jérôme Walz 8
That was a very hard-fought win today, and we were indebted to David Khmelidze who produced two excellent saves to keep us ahead. We’ve got a small cushion at the top of the league going into the second half of the season, and promotion must surely be our aim for the rest of the season.
I just enjoy the challenge. It gets boring when you continually win things from the start with Arsenal - it's just too easy :p
Wednesday 12th November 2003 Yverdon vs Vaduz
Challenge League, Game 17 of 30
(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Jérôme Walz, 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, Michele Polverino
Yverdon are performing below expectation, and a bad result here could see a change of manager. We’re unchanged as we look to keep up our promotion push.
The first half wasn’t particularly great to watch, but the one important event of the half was a screamer from 30 yards from Valeriy Kryventsov that the goalkeeper failed to hold to give us the lead. Gil came closest for Yverdon, but Khmelidze held his effort well.
The second half wasn’t much better as a spectacle, and on 74 Koch flicked the ball forward to Mounir El Haimour whose shot was allowed to slip through Khmelidze’s hands and suddenly the game was level. But we claimed the three points a minute from time when Kristjánsson’s cross was met by the head of Jérôme Walz who made no mistake.
Yverdon 1-2 Vaduz
Goals: 26’ Kryventsov (0-1), 74’ El Haimour (1-1), 89’ Walz (1-2)
Attendance: 3010
Substitutions: Slekys and Polverino for Estili and Bezhenar (69’)
Yellow Cards: Lengen, Schmidiger (Yverdon)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Jérôme Walz 9
We were a bit lucky to win today, although on the balance of play we certainly didn’t deserve to lose. It’s been nice to see two new goalscorers, especially Kryventsov.
Wednesday 19th November 2003 Vaduz vs Yverdon
Challenge League, Game 18 of 30
(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Pascal Thüler, 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
We’ve got a left back in the side today after Pascal Thüler recovered from injury. The player to miss out is the unlucky Jérôme Walz who has played really well in the last few games. Yverdon are under new stewardship, and it remains to be seen how they perform.
We were fantastic early in the first half, but both Mançaku and D’Elia saw efforts denied by the goalkeeper. Kryventsov was close on two occasions, but six minutes before the break D’Elia played a superb pass into the feet of Kristjánsson who scored with a delightful lob over the goalkeeper. That seemed to spark Yverdon into action, and Khmelidze had to be alert to make a fantastic double save from Hoxhaj.
But just nine minutes into the second half Hozhaj had knocked the ball out to Gil and the Brazilian forward equalised on the night. Mançaku fired wide as did Kock before Khmelidze did well to parry from Malacarne. Fifteen minutes from time Aguirre cross into the box saw Margairaz come close to scoring. Khmelidze was able to get to the ball first though, but could only push the ball into the feet of David Pittet who levelled up the aggregate scores. Late on Gil was denied by a good save, and the bonus points would be decided by the penalties.
Yverdon took first, and Schmidiger put the pressure on us immediately. Slekys saw his effort well saved, and Pittet heaped on the pressure. Roger Stilz kept his head to keep us in the game, but after Aguirre scored his effort, Estili fired over to put Yverdon firmly in the driving seat. Margairaz made sure with the next kick, and Yverdon claimed the points.
Vaduz 1-2 Yverdon (3-3 / Pen: 1-4)
Goals: 39’ Kristjánsson (1-0), 54’ Gil (1-1), 75’ Pittet (1-2)
Attendance: 3063
Substitutions: Slekys and Stilz for Mançaku and Fischer (64’), Walz for Bezhenar (77’)
Yellow Cards: D’Elia, Fischer, Kryventsov (Vaduz), Tschopp, Aguirre (Yverdon)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: David Khmelidze 9
It was extremely disappointing to lose the game today, especially as we could have been four or five up by half time. We’ll have to work on some of defensive play before our next game. We’ll be without D’Elia and Kryventsov for the game after both were given one-game suspensions having both picked up four bookings this season.
Friday 28th November 2003 Vaduz vs Concordia BS
Challenge League, Game 19 of 30
(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Pascal Thüler, Jérôme Walz, Sergiy Bezhenar, Michael Stocklasa; Benjamin Fischer, Hamid Reza Estili (capt), Roger Stilz, Marius Zarn; Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku, Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson. Substitutes: Manuel Zangger (gk), Vaidotas Slekys, Daniele Polverino, Baldwin Bazuaye, Michele Polverino
This is a big game for us as Concordia BS are one of our rivals for promotion. Votava has an injury and both Kryventsov and D’Elia are suspended. That means starts for Walz, Stilz and Zarn.
We got a lucky escape early on when Castelli hit a post, and Khmeldize pounced on the loose ball. We were much improved after that and the goalkeeper frustrated Fischer, Kristjánsson and Stilz. Late on Khmeldize tipped over a Castelli effort as the half ended goalless.
Slekys came on for the second half and had two early efforts that he skied over. Peço fired over at the other end, and it was a defensive mistake that allowed the deadlock to be broken. Walz failed to properly clear Schlauri’s cross and Peço put the ball into the box for Ivano Biancavilla to put the visitors ahead. Two minutes later it was game over as Doglia’s cross was met by a deflected header from Biancavilla. Slekys had two glorious opportunities late on to pull a goal back, but he found the goalkeeper in excellent form.
Vaduz 0-2 Concordia BS
Goals: 75’ Biancavilla (0-1), 77’ Biancavilla (0-2)
Attendance: 3092
Substitutions: Slekys for Mançaku (45’), D. Polverino and Bazuaye for Zarn and Fischer (68’)
Yellow Cards: Zarn, Fischer (Vaduz), Calapes, Schlauri (Concordia BS)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Wilson Cardoso (Concordia BS) 9
It was a bit disappointing to lose in the manner that we did; three poor minutes cost us dear. We now move into the 14-week winter break, and perhaps a bit of skiing.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Vaduz 19 11 4 4 34 17 +17 51-----------------------------------------------------2nd Concordia BS 19 10 5 4 30 13 +17 51-----------------------------------------------------3rd Schaffhausen 19 11 3 5 31 20 +11 504th Luzern 19 9 6 4 24 24 0 475th Baden 19 8 7 4 22 13 +9 456th Meyrin 19 6 9 4 23 15 +8 377th Bellinzona 19 5 6 8 20 23 -3 378th Delémont 19 5 6 8 25 24 +1 359th Winterthur 19 5 8 6 29 26 +3 3310th Yverdon 19 5 4 10 24 35 -11 3111th Kriens 19 4 8 7 24 26 -2 2812th Wohlen 19 4 6 9 18 22 -4 2813th Bulle 19 6 4 9 13 19 -6 2614th Chiasso 19 4 5 10 12 25 -13 23-----------------------------------------------------15th La Chaux-de-Fonds 19 5 4 10 15 28 -13 2116th Agno 19 3 4 12 15 29 -14 19</pre> Transfer signing: Germano Vailati, 23, GK, Swiss, £4,000 from Agno Transfer signing: Eyal Almushnino, 27, DM C, Israeli (1 cap), £20,000 from Maccabi Haifa Transfer signing: Ajibade Babalade, 31, D RC, Nigerian (30 caps), £40,000 from Julius Berger Transfer signing: Jákup á Borg, 24, F RC, Faroe Islands (23 caps, 2 goals), £100,000 from B36
We may have decent transfer funds, but our wage structure is pitiful, and as such it’s virtually impossible to attract the better players to Vaduz. In the end, we had to settle for the second tier choice players, and that means that most won’t be automatic first teamers. All four though will be very useful squad players and provide decent cover when required.
The winter break was a great time. Apart from team building on the Alps, we worked on tactics together, and making all the newcomers feel very welcome in Liechtenstein. There are only 11 games left to this season, but that means a full 45 points up for grabs. With only one team going up automatically, it’s going to be a battle right until the final game.
Friday 5th March 2004 Concordia BS vs Vaduz
Challenge League, Game 20 of 30
(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Tomas Votava, Ajibade Babalade, Michael Stocklasa; Benjamin Fischer, Hamid Reza Estili (capt), Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku, Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson. Substitutes: Germano Vailati (gk), Vaidotas Slekys, Roger Stilz, Eyal Almushnino, Jérôme Walz
Our first game back from the winter break, and we’ve got a mountain to climb to overturn the 2-0 deficit. We’re back to full strength, but of the four winter signings, only Babalade starts.
We got off to the worst possible start as Schlauri played the ball into the feet of Stefan Blunschi and he shot low past Khmelidze. We were not looking at our best following the long break, and Citrano shot wide. On 25 Biancavilla was denied when Khmelidze came to edge of the box to clear, but the ball fell to Blunschi who lobbed the ball into the net. We finally saw sight of goal when Kristjánsson was denied by the goalkeeper and at the other end Peço was denied. Seven minutes before the break Concordia scored a third as Khmeldize parried Schlauri’s effort into the path of Biancavilla who couldn’t miss.
The second half was a pretty dreadful affair, with only two efforts to note. Kristjánsson fired wide early on, and late in the half Khmelidze denied Biancavilla.
Concordia BS 3-0 Vaduz (5-0)
Goals: 5’ Blunschi (1-0), 25’ Blunschi (2-0), 38’ Biancavilla (3-0)
Attendance: 3307
Substitutions: Walz for Babalade (45’), Slekys and Stilz for Kristjánsson and D’Elia (66’)
Yellow Cards: Mkhwanaizi, Fischer, Estili (Vaduz)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Oscar Tato (Concordia BS) 9
That was probably our worst display of the season, even compared to the collapse against Winterthur. Looking at the last ten games, in which we only have one rival to play, still gives me hope of going up, but we can’t really afford any more slip-ups. We’re not helped for our next game with suspensions to Patrick Mkhwanaizi and Benjamin Fischer, who were both booked for the fourth time today.
Friday 12th March 2004 Wohlen vs Vaduz
Challenge League, Game 21 of 30
(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Pascal Thüler, Tomas Votava, Ajibade Babalade, Michael Stocklasa; Baldwin Bazuaye, Hamid Reza Estili (capt), Valeriy Kryventsov, Marius Zarn; Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku, Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson. Substitutes: Germano Vailati (gk), Vaidotas Slekys, Roger Stilz, Eyal Almushnino, Jérôme Walz
We’ve got to get back on track against Wohlen today. They’re sitting mid-table and aren’t going to be challenging at either end of the table. Thüler and Bazuaye fill in on the left side for the suspended duo of Mkhwanaizi and Fischer, and Marius Zarn fills in on the right wing for the injured D’Elia.
Wohlen were the better of the two sides during the first half, as we failed to really get a grip on the match. Fehr and Merenda both shot over and Candir and Huss shot wide as both goalkeepers sat around reading.
Ten minutes into the second half Mançaku sent in Kristjánsson who drove low across the body of the goalkeeper and into the lead. Within a minute it was 2-0 as Thüler sent a ball down the left for Mançaku to chase, and the Albanian’s cross was met with a perfect header from Kristjánsson. Candir shot over soon after, but we had the final say, as Kristjánsson was denied his hatrick by a good save late on.
Wohlen 0-2 Vaduz
Goals: 55’ Kristjánsson (0-1), 56’ Kristjánsson (0-2)
Attendance: 2842
Substitutions: Almushnino and Walz for Estili and Votava (64’), Stilz for Stocklasa (82’)
Yellow Cards: Nucera, Perez, Rizzo, Candir (Wohlen), Thüler, Walz (Vaduz)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson 9
We really didn’t play particularly well today, but you’ve got to take your chances when they come, and that’s exactly what Kristjánsson did. It was good to get a win again, and the march towards top spot is still on.
Friday 19th March 2004 Vaduz vs Wohlen
Challenge League, Game 22 of 30
(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Tomas Votava, Ajibade Babalade, Michael Stocklasa; Benjamin Fischer, Hamid Reza Estili (capt), Valeriy Kryventsov, Marius Zarn; Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku, Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson. Substitutes: Germano Vailati (gk), Vaidotas Slekys, Roger Stilz, Eyal Almushnino, Jérôme Walz
With a comfortable lead from the first game, we should be could enough to hold on for the bonus points. The only question is whether we can push on for victory today. Mkhwanaizi and Fischer are both back from suspension to replace Thüler and Bazuaye.
I’ve not watched a more boring 45 minutes of football – ever. The referee got his book out twice, but apart from that there was nothing – not even a shot off target. Just woeful.
The second half wasn’t much better, but at least we did manage to get two efforts in on goal. Estili produced a good save and Mançaku saw a shot parried late on, but a 0-0 was more than anyone deserved.
Vaduz 0-0 Wohlen (2-0)
Goals: -
Attendance: 3073
Substitutions: Slekys and Walz for Kristjánsson and Babalade (68’)
Yellow Cards: Babalade, Votava (Vaduz)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Patrcik Mkhwanaizi 9
I feel sorry for the fans today, and I’m asking the management to refund the fans who turned out to such a drab affair. It was truly dreadful and a case of two points lost as we fell further behind Concordia. It may well be that we have to settle for a play-off place at the end of the season; not that we’re giving up hope of automatic promotion just yet. It would seem to me that all of the top 7 still have legitimate hopes of at least a play-off place, but I can’t see it going beyond the top four.
Wednesday 24th March 2004 Vaduz vs Agno
Challenge League, Game 23 of 30
(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Jérôme Walz, Ajibade Babalade, Michael Stocklasa; Benjamin Fischer, Hamid Reza Estili (capt), Roger Stilz, Marius Zarn; Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku, Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson. Substitutes: Germano Vailati (gk), Vaidotas Slekys, Jákup á Borg, Eyal Almushnino, Sergiy Bezhenar
Tomas Votava and Valeiry Kryventsov are both injured as we host an Agno side who are still battling against relegation. Walz and Stilz get their chance to shine, and there’s a place on the bench for Jákup á Borg.
We struggled to get into the game for much of the first half, and had to rely on Khmelidze to keep out Pascariello and Abächerli. We finall got our act together just before the break as Stilz floated in a free kick into the box and Kristjánsson scored with a fantastic diving header.
The second half wasn’t much better as a spectacle, with very little goalmouth action to report. But eighteen minutes from time Kristjánsson got down the right and his cross was met by a pot shot from debutante Borg who doubled our lead. Zarn almost added a third, but that would have been harsh on Agno.
Vaduz 2-0 Agno
Goals: 40’ Kristjánsson (1-0), 72’ Borg (2-0)
Attendance: 3196
Substitutions: Borg and Bezhenar for Mançaku and Stocklasa (69’), Almushnino for Estili (78’)
Yellow Cards: Fasoli, Lodigiani, Citran (Agno)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Roger Stilz 8
We had expected to win, and to be honest that’s what we did. Agno did make things difficult for us, and we know that the return game next week will not be easy. Still, if we want that promotion spot, we’ve got to get the points next week.
Friday 2nd April 2004 Agno vs Vaduz
Challenge League, Game 24 of 30
(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Tomas Votava, Ajibade Babalade, Michael Stocklasa; Benjamin Fischer, Hamid Reza Estili (capt), Roger Stilz, Fabio D’Elia; Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku, Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson. Substitutes: Germano Vailati (gk), Vaidotas Slekys, Jákup á Borg, Eyal Almushnino, Jérôme Walz
With Concordia BS losing their first game last week, we’ve got to take advantage today, and must win if we want to keep the pressure up at the top. We’re delighted to welcome Votava and D’Elia back into the side, relegating Walz and Zarn.
We got off to a pretty good start, taking the lead after just seven minutes. D’Elia’s cross was deflected into the path of Kristjánsson who drove low past the goalkeeper and into the net. Angeretti forced a save at Agno looked to equalise immediately, but we were in command and Mançaku was denied by a good save. On 21 we scored a second as Kristjánsson reacted quickly when the goalkeeper could only parry Fischer’s powerful effort. And ten minutes before the break we had a third; Kristjánsson getting a lucky deflection off Ferretti as his 30-yard free kick squeezed home.
Stilz had two good opportunities to extend our lead early in the second half, but a moment of slack defending allowed Bugnard’s cross to be volleyed in by Fabrio Angeretti. Pascariello fired over but we closed the game down, and Kristjánsson was denied a fourth thanks to a good save. Two minutes from time Croci Torti managed to get the ball into the box for Carmine Pascariello to volley in a second, but we never really looked in danger of losing our lead.
Agno 2-3 Vaduz (2-5)
Goals: 7’ Kristjánsson (0-1), 21’ Kristjánsson (0-2), 35’ Kristjánsson (0-3), 55’ Angeretti (1-3), 88’ Pascariello (2-3)
Attendance: 4480
Substitutions: Slekys and Borg for Stilz and D’Elia (68’), Walz for Mkhwanaizi (84’)
Yellow Cards: Angeretti (Agno), Stocklasa (Vaduz)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson 10
It was an excellent first half performance from us, and especially our Icelandic wonderkid up front. But the defending in the second half left a lot to be desired, and we must improve for our next two matches, which are against promotion hopefuls Schaffhausen.
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