9 March 2013
US Mondorf 3-4 Rosport
GK: Hartert
D: Pellegrino, Heinz, Maiget, Bernard
M: Rakic, Jans, Pazos, Ferreira
ST: Schiltz, Saboga
This one was exciting for the supporters, and nerve-racking for the managers.
We started off wonderfully, with Roland Saboga powering in a header off a perfectly-placed cross from Laurent Jans in the game's second minute. Former Rosporter Fabio Bertens equalized on 31', the first league goal of his career.
We regained the lead when Kevin Maiget headed home a Carlos Ferreira corner, and went up by two on 58', when Saboga got space in the box and nudged in a short pass from Laurent Schiltz.
I give Mondorf a lot of credit for battling back into the match. First Eric Pleimling, and then Cesar Luis put shots behind poor Kevin Hartert. The board and supporters had been clamoring to see him play, and he had a awful time of things tonight. Now, with the score level, I had to bring Kevin off and send in Jeff Oster.
Eight minutes before full time, Mondorf nearly pulled ahead, but Maiget beat Luis to a loose ball on the doorstep, keeping him from knocking it past Oster long enough for the keeper to get his gloves on it. Maiget played it ahead to Saboga, who chipped a pass up to Schiltz. Naturally, he drew the Mondorf defense, and that freed up Alphonse Leweck. Laurent found him, Leweck finished neatly from 10 yards, and we had what turned out to be the game-winning goal.
Saboga, with his two goals and his dominant play in the air, was Man of the Match (8.8). For the first time since we lost to FC Racing in a preseason friendly, we allowed at least three goals in a match, but this time we managed to score four ourselves.
Mondorf-les-Bains is a spa town, and Luxembourg's only casino is located here. I'm guessing a few of the Rosport players might have been here for purposes other than football matches.
Photo from tripadvisor.com