Szabics shines on debut

Hungary 5-1 Luxembourg
SK Sturm Graz striker Imre Szabics scored twice on Wednesday as Hungary put on a scintillating display to crush Luxembourg 5-1 in an international friendly at the Megyeri úti stadium in Budapest.

Brutal Szabics
In-form Szabics collected four goals against Sweden in an Under-21 match last month, prompting coach Imre Gellei to hand him a full debut. The youngster did not disappoint, brutalising the visiting defence with his deft touches and smooth control.

Luxembourg satisfaction
Zoltán Gera gave the home team the lead in the 18th minute but Jeff Strasser levelled for the visitors seven minutes later. There were few chances for either side before the break and Luxembourg were more than satisfied with the 1-1 scoreline at the interval.

Rampant Hungary
It was a different story in the second half, however, as the away side were unable to maintain their impressive early tempo, finding themselves under pressure every time a rampant Hungary broke forward. Szabics restored the lead in the 52nd minute before Krisztián Lisztes made it 3-1 just past the hour and Krisztián Kenesei added another with 22 minutes to go.

Szabics again
By that stage, Luxembourg had given up any hope of clawing themselves back into contention and Szabics applied the gloss finish to a memorable debut by tucking away his second of the game in the final minute.

Latvia date
Hungary face UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying Group 4 leaders Latvia in a vital home encounter on 7 June. Gellei's charges lie in fourth position, ahead of bottom-placed San Marino and behind Poland and Sweden.