Socceroo Milos Degenek played a starring role for Red Star Belgrade as the Serbian champions held Salzburg to a thrilling away draw to advance to the Champions League for the first time.
Red Star, who won the European Cup in 1991, came back from two goals down in an electrifying second leg in Austria to draw 2-2 and go through on away goals after the first leg ended goalless.
Degenek played a major part in both his team's goals after Salzburg took a commanding 2-0 lead through striker Munas Dabbur.
The Australian defender delivered a perfect cross for Comoros striker El Fardou Ben Nabouhane to turn in at the near post in the 65th minute and then found the hitman with a looping header after a free kick was floated in from the halfway line minutes later.
A thrilling draw away to Salzburg enabled Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade to reach the Champions League group stage for the first time where they will be joined by Portugal's Benfica and Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.Source: http://au.francais-express.com/news/sport/-79927-red-star-reach-champions-league-group-stage-with-benfica-psv/
With the scoreless first leg played behind closed doors after Red Star were punished for racist chanting by their fans, Salzburg striker Munas Dabbur made the most of home advantage to open the scoring in the last minute of the first half.
He doubled Salzburg’s advantage just after the break, confidently slotting home a penalty after Vujadin Savic was penalised for a late challenge on midfielder Hannes Wolf.
Roared on by 8,000 fervent away fans, Red Star wiped out Salzburg’s lead midway through the second half thanks to clinical finishing by their Comoros striker El Fardou Ben Nabouhane.
Milos Degenek delivered a perfect cross for Ben to turn in at the near post in the 65th minute and the Australia defender again turned provider moments later, finding the hitman with a looping header after a free kick was floated in from the halfway line.
Jubilant Red Star fans invaded the pitch after the final whistle and mobbed the Serbian team’s players, who held firm in the closing stages as Salzburg pressed desperately forward in search of a winner.
