Ferencvaros found it much easier than expected as they defeated Hamrun Spartans 6-1 in the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round at the National Stadium on Thursday.
After taking an early lead, three quick-fire goals early in the second half handed the Hungarian giants a comfortable lead before adding another two goals, hitting the posts twice.
The visitors took just three minutes to forge ahead when off an assist by Zachariassen from the left, Mohammad Abu Fani beat Federico Marchetti with a long-distance shot in the top right corner.
Hamrun replied with a good run by Seth Paintsil on the right but his angled shot was blocked by Dibusz. A powerful drive by Traore was blocked by Marchetti on the 17th minute with the ball reaching Zachariassen who hit high.
Marchetti performed a good save on Traore on the 26th following a cross from the right by Makreckis. Three minutes later, a powerful shot by Romdhane was neutralised by the former Lazio goalkeeper.
Five minutes in the second half, a freekick from the left by Roko Prsa ended just over the bar.
However, one minute later, Ferencvaros doubled the score when following a good move between a number of players, Marcelina blocked a shot from outside the area and Adama Traore served Kristoffer Zachariassen who headed the ball home in style.
On the 53rd minute, the visitors scored the third goal when Traore served Zachariassen whose close range shot was blocked by Marchetti but Barnabas Varga placed the ball at the back of the net.
The Hungarians kept pushing for more and Barnabas Varga made it it 4-0 on the 56th with a diagonal shot from the right following a through pass from midfield.
Ferencvaros extended the lead on the 66th when Fani sent Barnabas Varga through on the right and the latter completed his hat-trick with a diagonal shot which beat Marchetti.
Varga was unlucky to hit the upright on the 72nd with a close-range effort and four minutes later, Traore had a fine shot blocked by Marchetti onto the crossbar.
One minute from time, Hamrun pulled one back thanks to a powerful drive by Luke Montebello, served from the right by Roko Prsa.
But on the 90th minute, Nguen released Adama Traore on the right and substitute Kwabwena Owusu hit home from close range.
HAMRUN Federico Marchetti, Steve Borg, Joseph Mbong (72’ Juan Corbalan), Roko Prsa, Elionay (72’ Nemanja Krstic), Yuliyan Nenov (59’ Eder), Ognjen Bjelicic, Seth Paintsil, Emerson Marcelina, Ryan Camenzuli, Jonny (59’ Luke Montebello).
FERENCVAROS Denes Dibusz, Samy Mmaee, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (57’ Kwabwena Owusu), Mohammad Abu Fani (66’ Tokmac Nguen), Kristoffer Zachariassen, David Siger, Barnabas Varga, Adama Traore, Cebrail Makreckis (57’ Henry Wingo), Ibrahim Cisse (66’ Mats Knoester), Cristian Ramirez (78’ Lorand Paszka).
Referee: Eldorjan Hamiti ALB
Assistant Referees: Rajdi Avdo, Rajdi Zaimi ALB
Fourth Official: Andi Koci ALB
The second leg will be held at the Groupama Arena on August 17. The winner of this two-legged tie will be facing the loser in the UEFA Europa League clash between FK Žalgiris Vilnius of Lithuania and BK Häcken of Sweden.