Revamped Brussels welcomed to FSL by Zagreb
By: Drew Peacock
Brussels KV brought thirteen fresh players to Croatia to play Zagreb NK in matchday six. New captain Saifeddine Tijani even went as far as to bench the starting goalkeeper Royal Savage in favor of young prospect Chad Cockney. Tijani was also able to recruit young defender-turned-attacker Emir Šehbajraktarević from their opponents today. The Zagreb fans saw the move as a shock, since the player was getting significant minutes in the starting XI and even had a near man-of-the-match performance in matchday five.
After a couple Zagreb chances early on, the game's first goal came off an incisive run into the Brussels penalty box by Jay Sobaksu where he found Akiyama Hernandez unmarked. "Sushi Taco" finished neatly past the keeper to give the home side the lead in the 29th minute. Not long after, former Zagreb player Emir Šehbajraktarević stepped up to take a free kick against his former club. He was able to get the shot over the wall that is Bebe Barry and kept it under the bar, to level the score 1-1, 38th minute. Zagreb had two more chances before half-time through crosses into the box by Scooter McGavin, but they were unable to re-claim the lead.
Super-sub-Marcus Neagu came on at half-time to give the hosts an edge; however, the emphasis on the attack may have left the defense exposed. In the 64th minute, Emir Šehbajraktarević got his brace on a successful counterattack. His second goal celebration angered the hosts who turned up the intensity and put more bodies forward to get back into the match. Scooter was able to connect with Neagu in the 68th minute to level the score, 2-2. After the goal, another attacker came on for Zagreb; Bas Kurt, who gave the hosts the lead in the 81st minute. In the final seconds of added time, Brussels substitute Rydan D'sa found himself with more energy than the Zagreb defense allowing him to get goal side of Adolf Lund. The young attacker faced up one-on-one with the Zagreb keeper to level the score, but Owen "big hands, small head" Majmunović was able to push the attempt wide of goal, giving Zagreb the win, 3-2.
