Krisztian Nemeth, the forward from Sporting Kansas City, delivered a stellar performance for Hungary, netting two goals in their recent match against Greece. Despite Nemeth’s efforts, Hungary succumbed to a 4-3 defeat on Sunday. However, their journey towards UEFA Euro 2016 qualification remains very much alive.
Nemeth played the full 90 minutes at Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens, twice putting Hungary ahead in the second half. Each time Greece managed to equalize, eventually snatching a late winner in the 86th minute. Despite the loss, Hungary’s position in the Euro 2016 qualifying landscape is still promising, as they aim to reach the European Championship for the first time since 1972.
Currently, Hungary stands third in Group F of the Euro 2016 qualifiers with 16 points (4-2-4 record), trailing behind Northern Ireland (21 points) and Romania (20 points). The top two teams from each group, along with the highest-ranked third-placed team across all groups, automatically qualify for Euro 2016 next June. Hungary is currently in pole position among the third-placed teams. Their automatic qualification hinges on the outcomes of upcoming matches:
- A victory or draw for Spain against Ukraine on Monday.
- A victory or draw for Iceland against Turkey OR a victory or draw for Latvia against Kazakhstan on Tuesday.
If these results do not go in Hungary’s favor, Nemeth and his national team will enter a two-legged playoff against one of the other seven third-placed teams in November. These playoffs will determine the final four spots in the prestigious tournament.
The match against Greece was a rollercoaster affair. After both teams exchanged goals in the first half, Nemeth took center stage in the second half. In the 54th minute, he capitalized on a header at the far post, giving Hungary a 2-1 lead. Greece responded with another equalizer, but Nemeth showcased his striking prowess again in the 75th minute. He unleashed a powerful shot that soared into the roof of the net, marking his third international goal in his career.
This season has been remarkable for Nemeth. He has earned six of his 21 caps for Hungary in 2015, coinciding with his impressive club form for Sporting Kansas City. Just a day before this match, he was recognized as Sporting Kansas City’s Newcomer of the Year. His statistics speak volumes: 15 goals and seven assists across all competitions for his club. Adding to his accolades, Nemeth shared the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Golden Boot with teammate Dom Dwyer, scoring five goals, including a crucial equalizer in the final which Sporting Kansas City eventually won on penalties.
