DVSC started the new season on Thursday with the first leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round, hosting the Armenian record champions Pyunik Yerevan at Nagyerdei Stadium. More than 8,000 supporters created an excellent atmosphere for the European opener.

The applause had already begun before the kick-off. András Herczeg, the coach who led our team to the UEFA Champions League and multiple Hungarian league titles, recently celebrated his 70th birthday. Our club paid tribute to the Master Coach, who has received numerous prestigious honours throughout his career, including the Hungarian Coach of the Year award, the Zilahi Prize, the Alfréd Hajós Award and the Hungarian Gold Cross of Merit. Naturally, András Herczeg received a warm ovation from the Loki supporters and performed the honorary kick-off before the match against Pyunik. Thank you for everything!

Among the starting XI of Loki were the homegrown Gergő Tercza and Flórián Cibla as well as the new signings Plamen Andrejev, Sergi Samper, Blaz Boskovic and Sohan Baldoni.

Loki made a dynamic start, looking to launch quick attacks while pressing high up the pitch. Our team was dominating, yet it was Dashyan who had the first opportunity in the 12th minute, firing wide from an unmarked position. There were few clear-cut chances during the first 20 minutes and Plamen Andrejev had to make one save.

The match continued to be largely contested in the midfield. In the 28th minute, Ádám Lang made an attempt from a distance, but his effort flew over the crossbar. Three minutes later, however, DVSC came extremely close to taking the lead. After an excellent cross from Gergő Tercza, Dominik Kocsis met the ball with a header that crashed against the left post and bounced back into play. The goal did not come, so the teams went on the break with the score still level at 0-0.

At the very beginning of the second half, Flórián Cibla’s shot was blocked by the defenders and DVSC increased the pressure. Crosses and shots were coming and in the 54th minute, Sergi Samper made an attempt, but he shot wide of the goal. Pyunik responded two minutes later when Kulikov headed towards the goal from close range, but Plamen Andreev produced a brilliant save, tipping the ball away from under the crossbar. In the 58th minute, Sohan Baldoni blasted a great chance wide, but there was no escape for Pyunik just a minute later. Flórián Cibla curled a magnificent strike into the top-left corner from 20 metres out to give DVSC a deserved 1-0 lead.

In the 64th minute, our latest signing, Ákos Szendrei came off the bench and not long after, Harutjunjan hit the post. In the final minutes, both teams pushed for a goal and in the 73rd minute, Dominik Kocsis missed a one-on-one opportunity. Máté Macsó, Márk Szécsi, Balázs Sain and Rotem Keller also came on for the endgame. Loki secured their advantage and earned a valuable victory.

On Sunday, DVSC will start the championship against Puskás Akadémia at Nagyerdei Stadium, while the return leg against Pyunik will be next Thursday in Yerevan.

According to the coach

Gert Remmel: It was more or less the kind of the match that we expected. I was pleased with the way my players reacted when we lost possession and we also performed well in our progressive build-up. We need to be more efficient in the penalty area.

Artak Oseyan: In my opinion, it was an even game. Both teams had their chances, and it was a very evenly contested match. The second leg in Yerevan will decide who progresses to the next round.

UEFA Conference League, 2nd qualifying round, 1st match.

DVSC-Pyunik Yerevan (Armenian) 1-0 (0-0).

Nagyerdei Stadium, 8523 spectators. Referee: Jacob Karlsen (Danish).

DVSC: Andrejev – Tercza (Szécsi, 80.), Hofmann, Lang, Guerrero (Keller, 80.) – Samper, Boskovic – Kocsis D., Dzsudzsák (Sain, 80.), Cibla (Macsó, 73.) – Baldoni (Szendrei Á., 64.). Head coach: Gert Remmel.

Pyunik: Avagyan – Vakulenko, Islamovic, Almeida (Darbinyan, 57.), Harutjunjan (Witi, 67.) – Hovhannisjan, Kovalenko, Santos – Kulikov (Griffith, 67.), Yansane (Pikis, 67.) , Dashjan (Kenourgios, 29.). Head coach: Artak Osejan.

Goal: Cibla (59.).

Yellow card: Boskovic (94.) as well as Santos (33.), Witi (82.), Kovalenko (88.).