Women’s Under-19s progress to Euro Elite round

The Hungarian Women’s Under-19 team got off to a perfect start in their qualification group un Manavgat, Turkey, defeating their hosts 2-0 in their opening group-stage match. A 6-1 victory over Kosovo on Matchday 2 secured qualification with a match to spare and although Turtóczki’s side had to make do with second place in the end, an encouraging 0-0 draw against much-fancied Denmark in the final match augurs well for the future.

A first-half brace from Sára Pusztai was enough to see off hosts Turkey, a solid defensive display also being key to the victory. Lily Farkas twice came close to opening the scoring early on and with Fanni Vachter also looking dangerous, it seemed only a matter of time before the breakthrough came. The opening goal duly arrived in the 28th minute, Sára Pusztai breaking clear of the defence and planting a shot low into the left-corner of the net from inside the box. Team captain Pusztai added a second just before the break, keeping her cool in a one-on-one situation, and with Hungary composed throughout in the second half, Turtóczki’s side knew that a victory against Kosovo coupled with a Denmark victory over Turkey on Matchday 2 would see them through.

Hungary didn’t get off to the best of starts against Kosovo, falling behind to an Erjona Emërllahu free-kick in the 19th minute. Pusztai levelled within two minutes though and Hungary were ahead three minutes later when Viktória Bódai pounced. Two-one ahead at the break, Bódai added a third early in the second half and Hungary scored a further three late on to secure a comfortable 6-1 victory. Bódai completed her hat-trick in the 80th minute, Pusztai made it five in the 82nd, and half-time substitute Bernadett Stefán completed the scoring with just two minutes left to play.

With Denmark having duly routed Turkey 6-0 to add to their 8-0 victory over Kosovo in their opening match, Hungary knew that they were already through whatever the result on Matchday 3. A 0-0 draw against a Denmark side physically dominant in the second half constituted a highly creditable result and one which sees Hungary into the Elite round unbeaten.

Speaking to mlsz.hu after the final match, Sándor Turtóczki commented thus: “You always need something extra to achieve good results, and we worked really hard as a team today. Overall, I believe we deserved a draw; my team has strength in depth and I hope we can continue to develop ahead of the Elite round. This result can give us confidence going forward”, he said.

2 October, Manavgat

Hungary 2-0 Turkey

Goalscorer: Pusztai (26’, 45’)

Hungary: Böröcz – Virág Nagy (Bódai, 46’), Kovács, Fördős, Győrik – Papp (Czellér, 46’), Palakovics (Róth, 79’) – Pusztai, Farkas (Stefán, 78’), Vachter (Ploner, 87’) – Vanessza Nagy

5 October, Manavgat

Hungary 6-1 Kosovo

Goalscorers: HUN: Pusztai (21’, 82’), Bódai (24’, 49’, 80’), Stefán (88’); KOS: Emërllahu (19’)

Hungary: Böröcz – Ott, Buzás, Fördős, Csolti – Róth (Papp, 67’) – Czellér (Vanessza Nagy, 42’), Farkas (Stefán, 46’), Pusztai (Vachter, 83’), Ploner - Bódai

8 October, Manavgat

Hungary 0-0 Denmark

Hungary: Böröcz – Ott, Kovács, Fördős, Győrik – Palakovics (Vanessza Nagy, 77’) – Virág Nagy (Vachter, 88’), Papp, Ploner (Buzás, 88’), Pusztai – Bódai (Farkas, 90+3’)