The golden day of Montenegrin football, the day when one of our teams secured a place in the European Championship for the first time, ended, I guess, the way it had to end - with Montenegro jazz!
The beats of Perper's famous hit thundered from the stadium speakers near Bistrica on the eve of the match with Farani - jazz was also played at the end.
With Edvin Kuč's goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time, literally in the last seconds of stoppage time, Robert Prosinečki's team demolished the Faroe Islands, they demolished an outsider who hasn't been one for a long time - they showed it tonight at the stadium near Bistrica.
AWARD FOR FIGHTING
By the hardest route, the most difficult possible, the longest detour, Montenegro did what it "had" to do, to win six points at home against teams from the fourth and fifth pots in order for the continuation of the World Cup qualifiers to make any sense.
And Montenegro was hanging by a thread, not only because they did not play good, fluid and deadly football for most of the match, but also because they had an opponent who showed that it was not in vain that they had fallen in the Czech Republic just three days earlier, just five minutes before the end of the game.
It could have remained 0:0, it would have been a painful and psychological blow, and in fact there wouldn't have been too much of a surprise in a duel between teams from the third and fourth echelons of European football.
If they didn't deserve it with their play, the "falcons" deserved to win with their fight, perseverance and sacrifice. On the difficult terrain of the Nikšić stadium, against a physically strong, organized and "difficult" opponent, they gave everything they had, believed until the last second of the match and deservedly waited for the reward.
After Edvin Kuč's shot from the crowd, the ball went into Faran's net, creating total ecstasy at the stadium near Bistrica - perhaps it was destined that one of the greatest days in the history of Montenegrin football would end with just such a happy ending.
EVERYONE PLAYS FOOTBALL
The duel near Bistrica began with fan and football enthusiasm in general after the phenomenal success of the youth team, but the "jazz" was only played for about 15 minutes.
Only to this extent did Robert Prosinečki's company pressure the Farani in an organized and planned manner.
Jovetić was in a good position, he tried to assist attractively - with his heel, Krstović's shot was blocked, Vešović's return ball from seven-eight meters diagonally found no one.
The initial excitement quickly passed, Gibraltar was repeated, and what was known was proven - that everyone plays football.
Montenegro fell after about 20 minutes, and the guests were gradually catching their breath and "their" game, they began to feel comfortable, to keep the ball, and even to threaten.
A great chance by striker Ruvanik Knudsen in the 25th minute was preceded by a great action by the entire team, and 10 minutes later Montenegro almost scored an own goal. A powerful rebound from Vukotić went over the foot of our debutant goalkeeper Popović, and fortunately it bounced into a corner.
Our team's period of poor play was broken by the defenders' action - Vešović for Andrija Vukčević, next to the goal, and an individual attempt by Jovetić, who returned 30 meters to our goal to receive the ball - the captain hit the outside of the net.
It didn't work out, Prosinecki made a double substitution at halftime - Kuč instead of Lončar, Camaj instead of Vukotić.
OFFENSIVE, THEN CRESCENDO
Camaj's breakthroughs and crosses on the left flank also activated Krstović, and Kuč's entry was felt long before the end of that 96th minute.
Montenegro pressured the Faranah team, dominating the entire second half, there weren't many attacks from the visitors and threats to our goal, but there weren't any clear chances in front of the opponent's goal either.
Krstović tried to head the ball several times, Jovetić was blocked after a great solo action, there were also shots from distance, many attempts, and shots on the field where the ball could hardly go in a straight line, but the offensive did not stop.
Three minutes before the end of regulation, Krstović broke through and shot after a counterattack - straight at the goalkeeper, while Prosinecki sent Radulović, Bakić and Marko Vukčević onto the field.
And then, as if it was destined - the last attempt, the last throw-in into the penalty area and the "crescendo" at the stadium near Bistrica.
Kuč's goal was preceded by fantastic work by Krstović, midfielder Nefčija took a shot, the ball hit one of the Faran players - it doesn't matter anymore, we "shoved" it into the net.
Edvin Kuč's fourth goal in just his 12th appearance for the national team - such an average, albeit on a larger sample, is only achieved by strikers Stevan Jovetić, Mirko Vučinić, Fatos Bećiraj and Stefan Mugoša.
Montenegro travels to Plzeň for the June match against the Czech Republic with the coveted six points.
And the game - it needs to be improved, but we won't talk about that now...
MONTENEGRO - FARO ISLANDS 1:0
Niksic - Stadium near Bistrica. Attendance: 3.226. Scorer Kuč in the 90+6th minute. Referee: Alard Lihuld (Netherlands). Yellow cards: Vešović (Montenegro), Hendriksson (Faroe Islands).
Montenegro: Popović - Vešović (69. Radulović), Vujačić, Šipčić, A. Vukčević (77. M. Vukčević) - Janković (69. Bakić), Lončar (46. Kuč) - Vukotic (46. Camaj), Jovetic, Marušić - Krstović.
Farska Ostrva: Lamhauge - O. Faero, G. Vatnhamar, A. Edmundson - Danijelsen, R. Joansen (57th Mnenej), Hendrikson, V. Davidsen - Serensen (46th Frederiksberg), M. Olsen (88th Justinusen), Knudsen (46th Kletskard).
Bonus video:
