retired_manpk1

Saturday 24th July 2004
Basel vs Vaduz
Super League, Game 1 of 30

(4-4-2): Germano Vailati; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Nenad Lalatovic, Ajibade Babalade, Michael Stocklasa (capt); Benjamin Fischer, Igor Guzelov, Karim Kerkar, Fabio D’Elia; Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson, Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku. Substitutes: David Khmelidze (gk), Andy Smith, Valeriy Kryventsov, Eyal Almushnino, Tomas Votava

We couldn’t have had a more difficult opening game, away at the champions Basel. Germano Vailati is preferred in goal, and there are debuts for Lalatovic, Guzelov and Kerkar. Andy Smith starts on the bench.

It was one-way traffic as we expected. Gimenez fired over, before Vailati was called into action to keep out efforts from Zitola and Gimenez. We had been doing well defensively, but a minute before the break Vailati parried Rossi’s effort into the path of Christian Gimenez and he slotted Basel into the lead.

Rossi was denied by another save soon after the restart before we managed to get in an effort on goal through Kristjánsson. Cantaluppi sent a header into the arms of Vailtai, and Hakan Yakin fired wide. Rossi fired over late on as Basel failed to build on their lead.

Basel 1-0 Vaduz
Goals: 44’ Gimenez (1-0)
Attendance: 25103
Substitutions: Kryventsov and Votava for Fischer and Stocklasa (68’)
Yellow Cards: Lalatovic, Kerkar (Vaduz)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Davide Zitola (Basel) 9

It could have been worse to be honest, and if Basel had really wanted to we could have really been put to the sword today. During the week we also suffered some injury problems. Tomas Votava is out for two months with a torn groin muscle, and Igor Guzelov has a dislocated jaw, and is out for about three weeks.

retired_manpk1

Saturday 31st July 2004
Thun vs Vaduz
Super League, Game 2 of 30

(4-4-2): Germano Vailati; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Nenad Lalatovic, Ajibade Babalade, Michael Stocklasa (capt); Benjamin Fischer, Eyal Almushnino, Karim Kerkar, Fabio D’Elia; Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson, Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku. Substitutes: David Khmelidze (gk), Andy Smith, Valeriy Kryventsov, Hamid Reza Estili, Jérôme Walz

Thun are one of those sides that we feel that we can get a result against this season, and if we can defend as we did last week we’re in with a chance. Eyal Almushnino comes in for his first ever start due to injury to Guzelov.

Rama sent a free kick over for the home side, before Kristjánsson was twice denied by good saves. Twenty minutes into the game Baumann sent the ball into the feet of Milaim Rama who took the ball into the box and fired into the top corner. Kristjánsson was denied by a great save soon after, but Mançaku could only put the rebound into the hands of the goalkeeper. Kristjánsson also fired wide as we failed to take advantage of our pressure.

We continued to pressurise early in the second half, and the goalkeeper again denied Kristjánsson. But just before the hour Kerkar fed Kristjánsson who this time fired a fierce shot into the net to level up the scores. Thun were sparked back into action, and Vailati pulled off an excellent save from Tum. Sixteen minutes from time Rama restored the lead for the home side, cracking home a free kick from just outside the box that deflected off D’Elia and into the net. Smith came off the bench, but could only fire into the arms of the goalkeeper, and Rama fired over late on.

Thun 2-1 Vaduz
Goals: 20’ Rama (1-0), 57’ Kristjánsson (1-1), 74’ Rama (2-1)
Attendance: 4566
Substitutions: Kryventsov and Walz for Fischer and Babalade (61’), Smith for Kerkar (75’)
Yellow Cards: Stocklasa (Vaduz)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Eyal Almushnino 9

It was a rather disappointing goal to concede that cost us the game, and I felt that Vailati could have made a better effort to get to it. The one other point to come out of the game was the need to put away chances when given the opportunity, especially at this higher level.

We’ve been handed another UEFA Cup berth, this time representing Liechtenstein. We’ve been drawn to play Cypriot side AEL Limassol, and we’ll tackle the first leg away from action.
There was some sad news during the week as Hamid Reza Estili decided to hang up his boots, and goalkeeper Germano Vailati strained his calf, and is expected to be out for about three weeks.

retired_manpk1

Saturday 7th August 2004
Vaduz vs Neuchâtel Xamax
Super League, Game 3 of 30

(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Nenad Lalatovic, Ajibade Babalade, Michael Stocklasa (capt); Benjamin Fischer, Eyal Almushnino, Karim Kerkar, Fabio D’Elia; Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson, Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku. Substitutes: Manuel Zangger (gk), Andy Smith, Valeriy Kryventsov, Siaka Bamba, Jérôme Walz

Our first home game of the season is a difficult tie against a well-oiled Neuchâtel Xamax side. David Khmelidze returns in goal for the injured Germano Vailati.

Things got off to a terrible start when Karim Kerkar decided to shove Clément in just the third minute, and we found ourselves down to ten men. We competed well for a while, and Kristjánsson shot inches wide. But just before half hour Rey’s cross was deflected the Mkhwanaizi into the path of Mobulu M’Futi and he put the visitors ahead. Fischer was denied by the post, but two minutes before the break Rey’s cross was picked up by Samuel Ojong who turned and fired in for 2-0. But just before the break we pulled a goal back, Kryventsov heading home from D’Elia’s cross.

We had renewed vigour in the second half, and on the hour drew level. Mkhwanaizi’s effort was parried back into the Namibian’s path, and he laid the ball off to Kristjánsson to volley the ball through the hands of the goalkeeper. Rey forced a save with a header soon after, but Smith’s audacious lob was denied by a scrambling goalkeeper. Kristjánsson and Lalatovic were both denied by good saves, and Smith sent a header wide. Four minutes from time Lubamba played the ball forward for Owen Price to latch onto and restore the lead for the visitors, and Price added a second in the final minute after Rey had completed a defence-splitting pass. Price could have had his hatrick but for Khmelidze, and at the other end Smith saw a header parried to safety.

Vaduz 2-4 Neuchâtel Xamax
Goals: 27’ M’Futi (0-1), 43’ Ojong (0-2), 45’ Kryventsov (1-2), 60’ Kristjánsson (2-2), 86’ Price (2-3), 90’ Price (2-4)
Attendance: 3214
Substitutions: Kryventsov for Fischer (40’), Smith for Mançaku (45’), Bamba for D’Elia (67’)
Yellow Cards: Babalade, Mançaku (Vaduz)
Red Cards: 3’ Karim Kerkar (Vaduz)
Man of the Match: Owen Price (Neuchâtel Xamax) 9

We were just four minutes from a point today, and we had done so well with just ten men on the field for most of the game. We obviously have to work on keeping our heads for the full ninety minutes, and we must try to do that before next weekend’s game. Karim Kerkar has been picked up a two-match ban following his sending off, and he also incurred a one-week fine from me. Worse news though was a torn hamstring for Benjamin Fischer, giving Baldwin Bazuaye a run out in the first team for the next three months.

retired_manpk1

Saturday 14th August 2004
Vaduz vs Grasshopper
Super League, Game 4 of 36

(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Nenad Lalatovic, Ajibade Babalade, Michael Stocklasa (capt); Baldwin Bazuaye, Eyal Almushnino, Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson, Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku. Substitutes: Manuel Zangger (gk), Andy Smith, Siaka Bamba, Roger Stilz, Jérôme Walz

It’s another difficult tie today as we still look for our first points of the season. Bazuaye comes in on the left wing for the injured Fischer, and Kryventsov comes into central midfield for the suspended Kerkar.

Kryventsov shot over early on during the game, but on 14 minutes Lichsteiner crossed for Richard Nuñez to head Grasshopper ahead. Twelve minutes later we were level again as Kristjánsson headed home from Bazuaye’s corner. Mançaku was denied by the woodwork as the ball hit the post and crept wide before Nuñez sent the ball across the field for Adrián Guillermo to round Khmelidze and restore the lead for Grasshopper.

Mançaku and Shala were denied at either end by the goalkeepers, whilst Kristjánsson shot over and Nuñez sent a head into the arms of Khmelidze. Kristjánsson was denied twice by the goalkeeper and Petric shot wide for the visitors, before Kryventsov saw his late effort deflected wide for a corner.

Vaduz 1-2 Grasshopper
Goals: 14’ Nuñez (0-1), 26’ Kristjánsson (1-1), 36’ Guillermo (1-2)
Attendance: 3423
Substitutions: Bamba and Walz for Bazuaye and Babalade (60’), Smith for Mançaku (76’)
Yellow Cards: Mançaku (Vaduz)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Richard Nuñez (Grasshopper) 9

It’s another lesson learned today, and we’re starting to look at a long hard season ahead of us. We must learn to take our chances when given them, but we first have a trip to Cyprus to negotiate.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Neuchâtel Xamax 4 2 2 0 9 5 +4 82nd Concordia BS 4 2 2 0 8 5 +3 83rd St. Gallen 4 2 1 1 7 6 +1 74th Thun 4 2 1 1 5 5 0 75th Basel 4 2 1 1 3 3 0 76th Grasshopper 4 2 0 2 4 4 0 67th Aarau 4 2 0 2 7 8 -1 68th Servette 4 1 2 1 6 4 +2 59th Zürich 4 0 1 3 5 9 -4 110th Vaduz 4 0 0 4 4 9 -5 0</pre>

retired_manpk1

Thursday 19th August 2004
AEL Limassol vs Vaduz
UEFA Cup, Qualifying Round, First Leg

(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Nenad Lalatovic, Ajibade Babalade, Michael Stocklasa (capt); Baldwin Bazuaye, Eyal Almushnino, Karim Kerkar, Fabio D’Elia; Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson, Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku. Substitutes: Manuel Zangger (gk), Andy Smith, Valeriy Kryvenstov, Siaka Bamba, Jérôme Walz, Roger Stilz, Ignas Dedura

It’s nice to get away from the league action just at the moment, but we’re not going to take anything for granted today. Kerkar is back in the line-up, relegating Kryventsov back to the bench.

We were given an early helping hand when Giorgos Nicolaou elbowed D’Elia in the face and was sent off in just the 13th minute. But AEL were having the better of things, coming closest through Christodoulou. We started to get our act together, and both Kristjánsson and Bazuaye shot over. Ten minutes before the break we took the lead as Kerkar got into the box and pulled the ball back for Mançaku to bundle the ball home.

Kerkar shot wide before Kristjánsson was denied by a fantastic double save. The Icelander was denied by another good save, and Kryventsov fired over. Two minutes from time we were caught on the break as Bemetriades centred the ball for the unmarked Stelios Christou to equalise, and two minutes later Andreas Nicolaou’s shot was parried into the path of Christou to turn the game on its head. But there was still time for us to go up to the other end of the field where D’Elia pulled the ball back to Siaka Bamba who swivelled and sent his shot under the goalkeeper and equalised.

AEL Limassol 2-2 Vaduz
Goals: 35’ Mançaku (0-1), 88’ Christou (1-1), 90’ Christou (2-1), 90’ Bamba (2-2)
Attendance: 10644
Substitutions: Bamba and Walz for Bazuaye and Babalade (68’), Kryventsov for Kerkar (75’)
Yellow Cards: A. Petrou (AEL Limassol), Almushnino (Vaduz)
Red Cards: 13’ Giorgos Nicolaou (AEL Limassol)
Man of the Match: Stelios Christou (AEL Limassol) 9

We really shouldn’t be in the position that we are. Leading against ten men with two minutes to go should just be a formality, but like we’ve done so often this season we’ve failed to close the game out. Karim Kerkar has also dislocated his shoulder, and the Algerian will be unavailable for about a month.

retired_manpk1

Saturday 21st August 2004
Vaduz vs St. Gallen
Super League, Game 5 of 36

(4-4-2): David Khmelidze; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Nenad Lalatovic, Ajibade Babalade, Michael Stocklasa (capt); Baldwin Bazuaye, Igor Guzelov, Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson, Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku. Substitutes: Manuel Zangger (gk), Andy Smith, Siaka Bamba, Eyal Almushnino, Jérôme Walz

It’s back to the grind of the top division, and St. Gallen might be a side that we can get points off. Igor Guzelov and Valeiry Kryventsov come back into the side, with Almushnino and Kerkar stepping down.

Kryventsov and Kristjánsson came close to giving us the lead, either side of a terrific double save from Tninic and Merenda. But on 25 Barnetta pulled the ball back into the box and the ball fell to Daniel Imhof to fire St. Gallen into the lead. Kristjánsson and Bazuaye both couldn’t beat the goalkeeper, and Kryventsov sent a free kick into the arms of the goalkeeper.

The second half was a bit of a drab affair, punctuated early on by Kristjánsson firing wide. But sixteen minutes from time Guzelov played the ball wide to Bamba who laid the ball off to Kristjánsson to fire in at the near post and equalise. St. Gallen had Bruno Sutter sent off with ten minutes to go when he elbowed Guzelov, and three minutes later D’Elia’s cross was half-volleyed home by Kristjánsson to give us our first victory of the season.

Vaduz 2-1 St. Gallen
Goals: 25’ Imhof (0-1), 74’ Kristjánsson (1-1), 83’ Kristjánsson (2-1)
Attendance: 3530
Substitutions: Smith, Bamba and Walz for Mançaku, Bazuaye and Stocklasa (71’)
Yellow Cards: Lalatovic, Bamba (Vaduz), Balmer, Trninic, Zellweger (St. Gallen)
Red Cards: 80’ Bruno Sutter (St. Gallen)
Man of the Match: Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson 9

That’s better. It’s always nice to get a win, but we did it well today, and played St. Gallen off the pitch for the majority of the match. We now need to build on this result and start to push up the table.

retired_manpk1

We had another youngster promoted from the youth squad during the week. Ken Oulmadane, 21, plays in central defence or midfield, but is more likely to make his international debut before his club debut. We shall see.

Saturday 28th August 2004
Servette vs Vaduz
Super League, Game 6 of 36

(4-4-2): Germano Vailati; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Nenad Lalatovic, Ajibade Babalade, Michael Stocklasa (capt); Baldwin Bazuaye, Igor Guzelov, Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson, Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku. Substitutes: David Khmelidze (gk), Andy Smith, Siaka Bamba, Eyal Almushnino, Jérôme Walz

We come to Geneva on the back of a good win last weekend, and although the adage says not to change a winning side, we welcome back Germano Vailati into goal today after injury, relegating Georgian David Khmelidze to the bench.

A slow start to the match was brought to an end when Thierno Bah was sent off on 17 for a horrific elbow on Mançaku. Kristjánsson fired the resultant free kick wide, and at the other end Zambrella shot just past the post. Mançaku fired over as we started to make our numerical advantage count, and Kryventsov sent a free kick over the bar.

The second half also had a quiet beginning, but on the hour Minavand made a hurried back pass to his goalkeeper, and his rushed clearance fell to Mançaku who put us ahead. Thirteen minutes later we had a second as Mançaku scored at the second attempt, after some excellent work by Kristjánsson. The Icelander fired wide soon after, but three minutes from time we scored a third. This time Mançaku was provider, sending the ball across the box to Baldwin Bazuaye who turned and neatly shot into the net. Kryventsov and Bamba both came close to adding a fourth in the dying moments, but the result had already been assured.

Servette 0-3 Vaduz
Goals: 60’ Mançaku (0-1), 73’ Mançaku (0-2), 87’ Bazuaye (0-3)
Attendance: 6547
Substitutions: Bamba and Walz for D’Elia and Stocklasa (66’), Almushnino for Babalade (74’)
Yellow Cards: González, Zambrella (Servette)
Red Cards: 17’ Thierno Bah (Servette)
Man of the Match: Nenad Lalatovic 9

This is an absolutely fantastic result for us today, but we can’t overlook the fact that we were up against 10 men for all but 17 minutes of the game. Still, two consecutive wins have lifted spirits in the camp after our disastrous start to the season, and we can now try to build on these results.

retired_manpk1

Thursday 2nd September 2004
Vaduz [2] vs AEL Limassol [2]
UEFA Cup, Qualifying Round, Second Leg

(4-4-2): Germano Vailati; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Nenad Lalatovic, Ajibade Babalade, Michael Stocklasa (capt); Baldwin Bazuaye, Igor Guzelov, Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson, Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku. Substitutes: David Khmelidze (gk), Andy Smith, Siaka Bamba, Eyal Almushnino, Jérôme Walz, Jákup á Borg, Ignas Dedura

We’re unchanged from the weekend as we look to build on our two recent victories to make it through to the first round of the UEFA Cup proper.

AEL had the better of the early opportunities, with Vailati on hand to keep out both Christodoulou and Christou. Kristjánsson came close twice as we looked to secure a victory, and Kryventsov forced a good save. But the Cypriots came back at us late on in the half, but both Christou and Christodoulou were denied by excellent saves from Vailati.

We tried to close out the game in the second half as we looked to progress on the away goals rule, but fifteen minutes from time we were caught on the break and Sebok chipped the ball in for Stelios Christou struck to put his side ahead. It was only then that we really started to threaten the AEL goal. Smith was denied by a fantastic double save, and in the second minute of injury time the post kept out Kristjánsson’s effort.

Vaduz 0-1 AEL Limassol (2-3)
Goals: 75’ Christou (0-1)
Attendance: 1998
Substitutions: Walz for Stocklasa (45’), Smith and Almushnino for Mançaku and Babalade (70’)
Yellow Cards: Lalatovic (Vaduz), Demetriades (AEL Limassol)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Patrick Mkhwanaizi 9

It’s bitterly disappointing to go out of Europe at such an early stage again. Still, it will give us the opportunity to concentrate on battling against relegation, and that must be our priority this season.

retired_manpk1

Saturday 4th September 2004
Vaduz vs Concordia BS
Super League, Game 7 of 36

(4-4-2): Germano Vailati; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Nenad Lalatovic, Ajibade Babalade, Michael Stocklasa (capt); Baldwin Bazuaye, Igor Guzelov, Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson, Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku. Substitutes: David Khmelidze (gk), Andy Smith, Siaka Bamba, Eyal Almushnino, Jérôme Walz

Despite having played on Thursday, we’re lining up with the same side to play our fellow promoted side. Concordia got off to a good start, only to start falling. Meanwhile, our form has gone in the opposite direction, and so we fancy our chances today.

We made a confident start to the match, and Bazuaye brought off a good save from the goalkeeper. Twenty minutes in Igor Guzelov played the ball neatly into the box and Mançaku hit a first time shot between goalkeeper and near post and we were ahead. Mançaku was denied by a good save soon after, and late on in the half Hersperger saw a header well dealt with by Vailati.

The second half wasn’t pretty, but the two efforts that came closest to goals were both for us; first from Kristjánsson and then from Guzelov. Thirteen minutes from time Kristjánsson played a lovely one-two with Mançaku, and his shot went across the face of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Kristjánsson and Kryventsov both went close to scoring a third, and six minutes from time Kennedy crossed for Ivano Biancavilla to head home an equaliser off the unlucky Kryventsov.

Vaduz 2-1 Concordia BS
Goals: 20’ Mançaku (1-0), 77’ Kristjánsson (2-0), 84’ Biancavilla (2-1)
Attendance: 3283
Substitutions: Bamba and Walz for D’Elia and Babalade (66’), Almushnino for Guzelov (79’)
Yellow Cards: D’Elia (Vaduz), Schlauri (Concordia BS)
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson 9

Things are really starting to look up now for us, although one thing that we can definitely do better on is our defensive lapses.

retired_manpk1

Saturday 18th September 2004
Zürich vs Vaduz
Super League, Game 8 of 36

(4-4-2): Germano Vailati; Patrick Mkhwanaizi, Nenad Lalatovic, Ajibade Babalade, Michael Stocklasa (capt); Baldwin Bazuaye, Igor Guzelov, Valeriy Kryventsov, Fabio D’Elia; Þórarinn Brynjar Kristjánsson, Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku. Substitutes: David Khmelidze (gk), Andy Smith, Siaka Bamba, Eyal Almushnino, Jérôme Walz

Zürich are having a terrible season so far, but we’re on a high after three consecutive wins, and we reckon that we can get a result today. The side is unchanged.

Vailati had to be alert early on to turn away an Isaacs shot for a corner, and Chelidze shot over for the home side after Kristjánsson had shot straight at the goalkeeper. Five minutes before the break Babalade played a free kick out wide to D’Elia whose cross was smacked home into the top corner by Mançaku. Three minutes later Kristjánsson did really well to beat his man and get into the box. His shot was parried by the goalkeeper, but only into the feet of Mançaku who easily slotted home. But Zürich pulled a goal back with the last kick of the half as Schmid did well to get his cross in and Erwin Isaacs drove in past Vailati.

The two-goal advantage was restored just two minutes into the second half as Mançaku ran onto a loose ball and shot past the goalkeeper to complete a fantastic hatrick. The game was over by then, and we closed out time with neither side coming close to getting another goal.

Zürich 1-3 Vaduz
Goals: 40’ Mançaku (0-1), 43’ Mançaku (0-2), 45’ Isaacs (1-2), 47’ Mançaku (1-3)
Attendance: 4589
Substitutions: Smith, Bamba and Almushnino for Kristjánsson, Bazuaye and Guzelov (70’)
Yellow Cards: -
Red Cards: -
Man of the Match: Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku 10

Zürich are struggling, but we still had to take advantage, and that’s what we did. We’ve somehow climbed to fourth in the league, and it largely down to the form of Bledar Fiqiri Mançaku.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Basel 8 6 1 1 9 3 +6 192nd Grasshopper 8 5 0 3 13 7 +6 153rd Neuchâtel Xamax 8 3 4 1 12 8 +4 134th Vaduz 8 4 0 4 14 12 +2 125th Concordia BS 8 3 2 3 11 11 0 116th Thun 8 3 2 3 10 10 0 117th St. Gallen 8 2 4 2 11 11 0 108th Servette 8 2 3 3 8 10 -2 9---------------------------------------------------9th Aarau 8 3 0 5 12 18 -6 9---------------------------------------------------10th Zürich 8 0 2 6 6 16 -10 2</pre>