One year after the successful Euro 2016 run, Hungary’s national football team suffered a historic 1-0 defeat away at Andorra in their latest 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday night.
Marc Rebés’ looping far-post header from Chus Rubio’s right-wing cross in the 26th minute proving enough to overcome German head coach Bernd Storck’s Hungarian team on a night when nothing at all went right for the visitors. While the home team picked up just their second competitive win in 13 years, for Hungary it was one of their most embarrassing results and effectively ended their hopes of reaching next year’s World Cup finals in Russia.
Although the Hungarian team started the match with one of their youngest and most inexperienced lineups ever, it can be no excuse for the poor performance. The humiliating result has triggered harsh reactions among the angered Hungarian fans as well as in Hungarian media over the weekend. Many even demand the sacking of Bernd Storck, who will be heard by the board of the Hungarian Football Association (MLSZ) this week.
After the game, the German head coach apologized to the supporters for the poor performance. “After this kind of match it is not possible to do anything else than to ask for forgiveness from the supporters”, Storck said. “The defeat hurts and frustrates me. It’s not possible to forgive this. It’s not possible to accept the defeat in these circumstances – everyone has to take responsibility and I will be the first to do this”, he added.
Team captain Balázs Dzsudzsák had this to say after the match: “I ask for forgiveness from the supporters who have seen the match in the stadium or on TV and from those who love Hungarian football. I did everything I could so that at least we would lose – we had 3-4 chances but today nothing succeeded. I take my share of the responsibility – there are no words and no forgiveness for this result”.
Hungary’s players, including team captain Balázs Dzsudzsák, were devastated after the game (photo: Pascal Pavan – AFP / uefa.com)
WORLD CUP 2018 – European Qualifiers – Group B
ANDORRA–Hungary 1–0 (1–0)
Andorra la Vella, National Stadium, Ref: Kalogeropulos (Greece)
ANDORRA: J. Gómes – C. Rubio, Llovera, Lima, San Nicolás – Vales, Rebés – Clemente (Riera, 83.), Pujol (J. Ayala, 88.), A. Martínez – Aláez (Maneiro, 68.). Head coach: Koldo Álvarez
Hungary: Gulácsi – Bese, Vinícus, Lang (Balogh N., 56.), Tóth B. – Nagy Á. – Dzsudzsák, Kleinheisler, Stieber Z. (Nagy D., 21.), Gyurcsó (Sallai R., 71.) – Eppel. Head coach: Bernd Storck
Goal: Rebés (26.)
source: uefa.com
via mlsz.hu and nso.hu; photos: Pascal Pavan – AFP / uefa.com