REPORT: CARDIFF CITY 3-0 TEUTA DURRES
Club News
19th July
Bluebirds make it two wins in one day in Kirchbichl
Cardiff City made it two games, two wins, six goals as a second City eleven claimed a comfortable 3-0 victory over Albanian side KS Teuta Durres.
A first Cardiff goal for Spanish frontman Javi Guerra gave the Bluebirds a deserved lead in the 21st minute before native Austrian Guido Burgstaller doubled the lead as he turned home a precise Fabio cross before the break.
The Bluebirds were in command throughout and the second half saw a flurry of chances before Adam Le Fondre stepped up to bag his first for the Bluebirds, tapping home an initially parried effort 15 minutes from time.
A quick turnaround from the Bluebirds’ earlier 3-2 victory over TSV 1860 Munich saw an entirely separate eleven face Albanian side KS Teuta Durrës in slightly cooler early evening conditions.
There was soon to be yet another disallowed goal, a fifth of the day as a whole as Norwegian Jo Inge Berget turned home a parried Jordon Mutch effort, only for a passing glance to see the linesman’s raised flag for offside.
In all it was a quiet opening in the second game in Kirchbichl, but the Bluebirds took the lead with 21 minutes on the clock through Spanish frontman Javi Guerra. Picking up the ball in the area, City’s summer signing showed his finishing prowess by finding the bottom corner of the net and grab a first goal for the club.
A fourth game in a week in Austria for City’s opponents, Teuta Durrës were proving to be rather rugged opponents for the Bluebirds to face, as was proved on the half hour mark as Le Fondre shook off a late lunge from Ansi Nika; a challenge that saw the Albanian midfielder booked.
Ten minutes later the Bluebirds had doubled their lead as Austrian Guido Burgstaller netted on home turf as he guided home a precise Fabio cross at the far post. It was enough to give Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side a comfortable lead at the interval.
HALF-TIME: Cardiff City 2-0 KS Teuta Durrës
The break saw one half-time change for City as Kim Bo Kyung came on to replace Berget in midfield. Soon they almost had a third from a rather unexpectant candidate as Matt Connolly charged forward into the box only to see his effort saved by Albanian stopper Bledjan Rizvani.
Kenwyne Jones replaced goalscorer Javi Guerra on 60 minutes before Le Fondre came close to grabbing a third goal, only to see his shot travel just wide of the far woodwork.
Seven minutes later however, he got his goal. Finishing off a precise Cardiff City move from front-to-back Le Fondre first saw an effort saved before hitting home the rebound for his first Cardiff City goal.
It was enough to secure a second victory in two afternoon games in Austria as the Bluebirds now prepare to take on Russian club FK Amkar Perm on Tuesday.
FULL-TIME: Cardiff City 3-0 KS Teuta Durrës.
Starting teams - Cardiff City: Moore, Brayford, Fabio, Connelly, Turner, Mutch, Burgstaller, Berget, Ralls, Guerra, Le Fondre. Subs: Marshall, Kim, Velikonja, Jones.
KS Teuta Durres: Rizvani, Stafa, Hoxha, Prenci, Kotobelli, Hoxha, Pepa, Osmani. Dosti, Nika, Shabani. Subs: Kastrati, Ahmataj, Heseni, Deliallisi, Ulluri, Beqja, Rezi.
