Šport7.sk - Sports news and results Main Content One day! Zoran Záhradník almost became the youngest player in the history of our Footer league

Slovak footballer Zoran Záhradník was only one day away from equaling the record of Andrej Rendl, who has been the youngest debutant in the highest domestic competition since the 2007/2008 season.

Záhradník started in Saturday's match of the 5th round of the Fortuna League against Liptovský Mikuláš (2:1) only two days after his 16th birthday, the league record holder made his debut a day younger.

Coach Miroslav Nemec sent him to the pitch in the 90th minute for forward Matej Trusa. He only had his first touch with the ball when he played it in the center circle after the guests scored a final 2:1. "I am happy that I could play for the Michaloviec A-team in the top competition. The coach told me before the match that it was possible that I would jump into the game. During the substitution, he told me to enjoy it. I also felt some nervousness, but not too big," said Záhradník.

The Michaloviec players wanted to score as many points as possible after three losses, and they succeeded. With two goals in the second half, they took a 2:0 lead, accurately aimed by Wisdom Kanu and captain Igor Žofčák. "We needed a victory. Our game in recent matches was not bad, but we didn't gain points. Today it was quite good from the game side, but the important thing is that we scored goals and scored fully," said Žofčák, who also praised league debutant Záhradník : "I believe he has an excellent career ahead of him. However, he has to keep working on himself and when he doesn't dominate, he has to add."

The head coach of the home team, Miroslav Nemec, did not come to the post-match press conference, but his assistant Marek Ondrík, who evaluated MFK Zemplín's second win of the season: "It was a difficult match for us, because after three losses we urgently needed points to avoid under even more pressure. The opponent showed his strength, he was dangerous especially from breaks," said Ondrík and added to the address of the two most favored players of the home team, Žofčák and Záhradník: "Igor showed his quality and that he is the team leader needed for this. Zoran he is a rising star. Today he got his first start also as a reward, because he is training excellently."