- FC Basel beat GC away in the round of 16 of the Swiss Cup 5:3.
- In a spectacular game, Basel’s Zeki Amdouni and GC defender Ayumi Seko score twice.
- In the quarter-finals, Basel meets St. Gallen away from home.
Alex Frei can breathe again for the time being. The FCB coach and his team made it through to the quarter-finals of the cup thanks to an endured but more than deserved win against GC. FC St. Gallen is waiting there on March 1st.
Zeki Amdouni put the end of a crazy game. The omnipresent striker scored after a counterattack in added time to make it 5:3 and gave the GC efforts to catch up the decisive blow to the neck.
Amdouni scores twice
Amdouni made it 3-1 for the guest from Basel in the 48th minute with his first goal of the evening. Coach Frei’s team couldn’t hide their lack of sovereignty on this cold Wednesday evening. 4 minutes later Renat Dadashov brought GC back to 2:3 with a penalty. And GC also had an answer ready for the 2:4 by Kasim Adams (63rd) in the person of Ayumi Seko (71st).
The fact that FCB was spared the additional loop of extra time was ultimately also due to the inability of GC youngster Filipe de Carvalho. The 19-year-old headed the ball completely free in the 87th minute, but put the ball wide of the goal. A fourth goal would have been too much for the previously impressively efficient team from Zurich.
Efficient Grasshoppers
In an initial phase with bad passes on the running meter, there was little to indicate such a spectacular game. After one injury-related substitution, it was Basel who gradually found their way into the game.
Around half an hour had been played when FCB rewarded themselves for their attacking efforts for the first time. After a corner kick, Bendeguz Bolla steered the ball straight into Anton Kade’s feet. The 19-year-old came free at the far post and pushed in to make it 1-0 for Basel.
GC’s response was not long in coming. Because FCB goalkeeper Mirko Salvi miscalculated after a GC corner kick, Seko was able to nod off to equalize just two minutes later. At that point, it was the Grasshoppers’ first shot at goal. Basel was able to react before the break. Fabian Frei sunk a penalty kick caused by Meritan Shabani into the net to take the lead again, despite almost slipping during the execution.
GC already has the opportunity for revance on Saturday. Then the record champions will again welcome Basel to the Letzigrund in the 19th round of the Super League.