Hungarian Cup semi final, first leg MTK BUDAPEST–VIDEOTON FC 2–3 Goalscorers: Nikolics 53, 85 (pen), Torghelle 63 Budapest, Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion. Official: Fábián MTK: Groppioni – Wolfe, Kálnoki Kis, Szekeres, Vadnai – Könyves, Vukmir, Kanta, Ladányi – Frank (Balajti, 61.), Vass. (Zsidai, 61.) VIDEOTON: Bozsovics, Brachi, Vinícius, Caneira, Szolnoki, Tóth, Mitrovics (Nikolics, H/T), Oliveira (Gyurcsó, 78.), Kovács, (Sándor, 68.), Walter, Torghelle.

Videoton took a break from OTP league football on Wednesday afternoon, turning their attention to the Hungarian cup semi final. Second division MTK were the opponents in a game of two halves. Vidi Honorary President, Ferenc Kovacs took the kick off, in recognition of his time spent with the blue and whites, both as a player and then as manager. The game began at a good pace with the home side taking an early 6th minute lead. The home fans, which numbered a couple of hundred, were delighted to see Konyves put his side ahead, with a close range effort. The match was played in nice spring weather but on a bumpy difficult playing surface. 

Vidi directed play despite falling behind in the first leg, and led several attacks on the home goal. MTK were pusjed back into their own half for large periods of the game. MTK broke out several times and doubled their lead after 26 minutes. A totally unexpected goal coming from the feet of Konyves to make it 2-0! It was certainly not the start Videoton had imagined, and at that stage things looked bleak with Vidi needed time to shake off the early set back. Paulo Sousa's side continued to push the home side back into their own half, but could not find a way past the home defence.

Paulo Sousa sorted things out in the dressing room at half time, bringing on Nikolics for Mitrovics. This seemed to shake things up and MTK found it hard to cope with the in form striker. Vidi were back in the match on 53 minutes, when Nikolics reacted to a misunderstanding in the MTK defence to blast home from a tight angle. He showed good skill to turn his marker before finding the top corner. Things became even better 10 minutes later when Nikolics laid on a ball for Torghelle, and the hard working forward volleyed the ball into the right side of the net. Torghelle was playing against one of his former sides and he never stopped running all evening. 

MTK could not cope with a Videoton side, that never stopped running. The difference in fitness was also beginning to show, and the home sides discipline was also starting to break. Walter went on one of his runs in the 85th minute, running towards goal from the left, but he was suddenly brought down, with referee Fabian having no option but to point straight at the penalty spot. Nikolics confidently hit it past the keeper to make it a good comeback and give Vidi a 3-2 lead to take in the the second leg. 

The final moments of the game became ugly with 3 yellow cards and a red being produced by the busy match official. Home defender Ladanyi was sent off to give Vidi a man advantage. The second leg will take place in Szekesfehervar on the 10th April, but as MTK showed in today's game, things will not be simple in the return leg. Vidi battled hard and put in a good second half display, which MTK had no answer to and deserved their win in the end.