Sabah v Slavia Prague
Play By Play
History is made in Baku, as Sabah record their first-ever win in the Champions League, defeating Slavia Prague 2-0. In a quiet first half, the hosts found the net early on, with Parris picking out the top corner, only to be ruled out for offside. He would make amends in the opening stages of the second half. Lepinjica broke forward down the left and found Parris in the centre. The Jamaican guided his shot into the bottom left corner, scoring his side’s first-ever goal in the competition. Slavia would push for an equaliser, but to no avail, with Chory having multiple efforts cleared off the line. The three points would be wrapped up late on, thanks to an error from Markovic. The goalkeeper was caught out towards the halfway line, being dispossessed by Mbina and finding Mickels. He launched a shot from range, which Isife failed to clear off the line. Despite the scoreline, Slavia had the higher xG, managing 2.04 compared to Sabah’s 1.47. Sabah will look to add to their first victory next week, when they host Borussia Dortmund. Slavia’s wait for a European win goes on, and they take on Fenerbahce in a week. Thanks for joining us. Goodbye!
FULL-TIME: SABAH FK 2-0 SLAVIA PRAGUE
The game has completely opened up in the final moments, with chances falling at both ends. Provod sees another shot saved before Rakmonaliev sees another effort denied.
There will be four minutes added on at the end of the second half.
EXCELLENT SAVE FROM MARKOVIC! Moments after his blunder, Markovic produces a crucial save to deny a third goal. It looks like Rakhmonaliev's shot is heading towards the top corner, only for the goalkeeper to get there first and tap it over the crossbar.
Mbina pinches the ball off Markovic and quickly gets it on towards Mickels.
GOOAALLLL!!! MICKELS WINS IT FOR SABAH! It's a huge error from Markovic, giving Mickels a gift to make it 2-0. The goalkeeper pushes up towards the edge of his own half, where Mbina swipes the ball from him. He guides it towards Mickels, who shoots from range. It looks like Isife will get there, but he can't keep it out, as it rolls over the line.
The hosts make another change, with Simic departing for Xaybulayev.
Slavia's cross is headed down by Provod into the path of Ayaosi, but his first touch takes it away from him. Sabah get it clear before the visitors rush forward again.
Ayaosi gives away a free-kick inside the Sabah box as he pushes Mickels. It's been a frustrating night for the visitors, as their winless run in the competition looks set to continue.
Sabah are enjoying a rare spell of possession, as they focus on holding onto their lead. Slavia win it back, and Suleiman flashes a shot from range, narrowly missing the bottom-left corner.
It's a clumsy challenge from Kubiak, diving in to stop Nwachukwu, stopping his break down the right.
Slavia make their final change, with defender N'Guessan departing, as Kubiak is introduced.
Zedadka is the latest player to pick up a yellow card, as he goes into the back of Sturm.
Vlcek is the last player to depart, making way for Isife.
After missing opportunities to level, Chory makes way for Slavia, with Chytil taking his place.
Nwachukwu is also subbed on by the hosts, replacing Queiroz.
There's a flurry of changes from both sides, with the goalscorer Parris the first to depart, being replaced by Mbina.
Moses' cross is perfectly towards Chory. The striker is in space just ahead of Pokatilov, but his header is straight at the goalkeeper, missing another chance to level.
Substitution Steve Solvet Rahman Dasdamirov
Sturm plays a one-two with Vlcek, giving him space to cross towards Nowak. The substitute quickly releases an effort towards the near post, with Solvet there to make the block.
Ayaosi is booked after a late-timed lunge on Zedadka outside of his own box.
Solvet goes into the book, as he dives into a late challenge on Sturm, also taking out Provod in the process.
Slavia continue to push for an equaliser, but could go on to regret some of the chances they have missed so far, as they still trail here.
Their second change sees Sadilek replaced by Nowak in midfield.
