HOARAU SINKS RED STAR
We put in a good performance but we were perhaps too nice — we gave them two gifts, goals we could have avoided
PARIS, France (AFP) — Guillaume Hoarau’s second-half penalty claimed a 2-2 draw to deny former winner Red Star Belgrade a comeback victory over Young Boys in the Champions League’s playoff round first leg.
Roger Assale scored early on for the hosts before Milos Degenek and Mateo Garcia put the 1991 European champion 2-1 up shortly after the break. Hoarau’s spot-kick came af ter VAR reviewed a foul on Nicolas Ngamaleu with a quarter of an hour remaining in Switzerland.
“We put in a good performance but we were perhaps too nice — we gave them two gifts, goals we could have avoided,” Hoarau told UEFA.com.
“We’re frustrated because we dominated the match, created a lot of chances but didn’t win. It’s a good result for them but it’s not over,” he added.
The visitors were quickly trailing after a route-one goal from the hosts after seven minutes.
David van Ballmoos hoofed his goal-kick up field, striker Jean-Pierre Nsame flicked the ball on and forward Assale’s effort slipped under Canada international Milan Borjan for the opening goal.
Australia center-back Degenek brought the teams level 11 minutes later.
His looped header from a Marko Marin cross beat Van Ballmoos as well as Nsame who was defending at the near post.
The Serbians were ahead after 54 seconds of the second half.
Captain Marin fed right-back Marko Gobeljic out wide who crossed into the box.
Two Red Star players over-ran the pass before Garcia struck home at the back-post.
France international Hoarau, a 73rd minute substitute, slotted home his penalty with ease after referee Danny Makkelie had reviewed forward Richmond Boakye’s trip on Ngamaleu in the box.
Hoarau could have claimed the win for Young Boys with five minutes of normal time remaining, but his shot was cleared off the line.
Red Star has the upper hand ahead of next week’s return leg, thanks to their away goals.