Ferencváros vs Noah: Overview

In an electrifying UEFA Champions League qualifier at the Groupama Arena, Ferencvárosi TC secured their advancement to the third qualifying round with a thrilling 4-3 victory over FC Noah. The Hungarian champions completed a 6-4 aggregate win after previously claiming a 2-1 advantage in the first leg in Yerevan.

The atmosphere in Budapest was electric as nearly 20,000 passionate supporters filled the stadium on a warm July evening, creating a cauldron of noise that spurred the home side forward. Robbie Keane's men started brightly, with Aleksandar Pešić opening the scoring in the 23rd minute after a clever through ball from Jonathan Levi.

Noah's resilience was evident as they equalized through Matheus Aiás just before halftime, silencing the home crowd momentarily. However, Ferencvárosi regained control after the break with Callum O'Dowda and Levi adding goals to establish a commanding lead. The Armenian side refused to surrender, scoring twice in a five-minute spell to set up a tense finish, before Pešić sealed the victory with his second goal of the night in the 87th minute.

This result propels Ferencvárosi TC into the third qualifying round where tougher opposition awaits, while FC Noah's European adventure ends here. The Hungarian side's experience at this level ultimately proved decisive, though Noah can take pride in their attacking display. For Ferencvárosi, the dream of reaching the Champions League group stage remains alive as they continue their European journey.

"We showed great character tonight against a determined opponent. The match was more difficult than we expected, but I'm proud of how we responded to their comeback attempts. Advancing to the next round was our primary objective, and we achieved that despite some nervous moments," reflected Robbie Keane, Ferencvárosi TC's coach.

"Our defensive organization wasn't at its best today, but we showed incredible attacking spirit. We created plenty of chances and scoring three goals away from home in a Champions League qualifier is no small achievement. Unfortunately, we fell short over the two legs, but this experience will be valuable for our development," said Sandro Perković, FC Noah's coach.

"The atmosphere was incredible tonight. Our fans gave us the energy we needed, especially when Noah was pushing for an equalizer. We're delighted to progress, though we know we need to tighten up defensively in the next round," admitted Dénes Dibusz, Ferencvárosi's captain and goalkeeper.

"Ferencvárosi demonstrated why they're regular participants at this level. Their clinical finishing was the difference. Noah showed remarkable spirit and attacking quality, but defensively they were exposed too often against a more experienced European outfit," analyzed Tibor Nyilasi, former Hungarian international and football expert.

Ball Possession: Ferencvárosi TC 58% - 42% FC Noah

Shots (On Target): Ferencvárosi TC 15 (9) - 11 (6) FC Noah

Corners: Ferencvárosi TC 7 - 4 FC Noah

Cards: Ferencvárosi TC 2 yellow - FC Noah 3 yellow, 1 red

Individual Performances:

• Aleksandar Pešić (Ferencvárosi): 2 goals, 3 shots on target, 87% pass completion
• Jonathan Levi (Ferencvárosi): 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 key passes
• Matheus Aiás (FC Noah): 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 shots on target
• Dénes Dibusz (Ferencvárosi): 3 crucial saves, 1 from point-blank range

Team Statistics:

• Ferencvárosi completed 467 passes (85% accuracy) compared to Noah's 341 (79% accuracy)
• Ferencvárosi won 58% of aerial duels
• Noah committed 14 fouls compared to Ferencvárosi's 9
• Ferencvárosi created 12 chances compared to Noah's 8

The statistical dominance of Ferencvárosi TC in possession and chance creation reflected their control for large portions of the match, though FC Noah's efficiency in front of goal kept them competitive throughout the encounter.

23' GOAL (1-0): Aleksandar Pešić broke the deadlock for Ferencvárosi, finishing clinically after Jonathan Levi's precise through ball split Noah's defense.

42' GOAL (1-1): Against the run of play, Matheus Aiás equalized for FC Noah with a powerful strike from the edge of the box that gave Dibusz no chance.

51' GOAL (2-1): Callum O'Dowda restored Ferencvárosi's lead, heading home from Alex Tóth's pinpoint cross following a well-worked corner routine.

65' GOAL (3-1): Jonathan Levi extended the advantage for the hosts, capitalizing on a defensive error to slot past Muradyan, seemingly putting the tie beyond doubt.

71' GOAL (3-2): Gustavo Sangaré reduced the deficit for Noah with a spectacular long-range effort that flew into the top corner.

76' GOAL (3-3): Ognjen Čančarević stunned the home crowd with a close-range finish after Aiás' headed assist, bringing Noah back level on the night.

78' SUBSTITUTION: Robbie Keane made a tactical switch, bringing on defensive reinforcement to stabilize his team as Noah gained momentum.

83' RED CARD: Alen Grgić received a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Gábor Szalai, reducing Noah to ten men for the final minutes.

87' GOAL (4-3): Aleksandar Pešić secured the victory with his second goal of the night, a composed finish after excellent buildup play from substitute Bence Ötvös.

The encounter between Ferencvárosi TC and FC Noah in the UEFA Champions League qualifying round marked the first-ever competitive meetings between these clubs. With Ferencvárosi winning both legs (2-1 away and 4-3 at home), they have established a perfect record in this nascent rivalry.

The aggregate score of 6-4 across both matches indicates open, attacking football from both sides. The high-scoring nature of both games (7 goals in the second leg alone) suggests defensive vulnerabilities that both coaches will need to address.

Key individual battles shaped the outcome, particularly in midfield where Cebrails Makreckis dominated despite carrying an injury. His control of the tempo allowed Ferencvárosi to dictate play for significant periods. The duel between Pešić and Gonçalo Silva was another highlight, with the Ferencvárosi striker winning this battle emphatically with his two-goal performance.

The tactical approach of both teams revealed contrasting philosophies: Keane's Ferencvárosi emphasized possession and methodical buildup, while Perković's Noah relied on quick transitions and counter-attacks. The experience gap between the established Hungarian champions and the Armenian side was evident in crucial moments, particularly in game management when Noah threatened to complete their comeback.

While limited in history, this budding rivalry between clubs from Hungary and Armenia represents the increasingly competitive and diverse nature of European qualification pathways. Noah's performance suggests they could become a more formidable opponent should the teams meet again in future European competitions.

In the UEFA Champions League qualifying pathway, Ferencvárosi TC has now successfully navigated through the second qualifying round and advances to the third round where they will face tougher opposition. Their position as Hungarian champions gave them favorable seeding in the Champions League path.

FC Noah, positioned 8th in their domestic league last season, exits the competition at this stage. Despite their elimination, their performance against an established European club like Ferencvárosi suggests positive development for Armenian club football.

Ferenvcárosi TC remains on track in their quest to reach the Champions League group stages, though they will likely need to overcome two more qualifying rounds to achieve this goal. Their experience in European competition (having reached the Europa League group stage last season) gives them a realistic chance of progression.

FC Noah will now focus on domestic competitions, where they currently sit 18th in the Armenian Premier League after a challenging start to their season. Their European experience should prove valuable as they look to climb the table in coming weeks.

In terms of UEFA coefficient rankings, this result strengthens Hungary's position while Armenia will need other clubs to perform well in European competitions to improve their nation's ranking.