Mornar Edge Budućnost in Tight Podgorica Clash
Mornar took all three points from their Regular Season fixture against Budućnost Podgorica, winning 2:1 on Friday evening. The result leaves the hosts second on 12 points from six games, while the visitors drop further to seventh place with five points from five matches. Mornar had not lost in any of their six outings this season, picking up three wins and three draws, whereas Budućnost's record of one victory, two draws and two defeats told a different story.
The opening goal came in the 28th minute through A. Soussi, and the home side looked comfortable for a spell. Soussi's strike was followed by a yellow card for S. Osman in the 33rd minute, and by then Mornar had established a foothold. The visitors responded before the break when V. Ljutica equalised on 45+1, and the half ended level after a period where neither side dominated possession particularly.
The second half opened with two substitutions on 57 minutes — N. Kovinic came on for Mornar while Osman was replaced — and the game quickly turned. I. Bojovic struck in the 63rd minute to put Mornar ahead, and then added a second just a minute later in the 64th. Budućnost pushed for a response, but Mornar tightened things up, with A. Orahovac and D. Vukanic brought on together in the 65th minute to protect the lead.
There were more changes as the match wore on. M. Jovanovic replaced someone on 72 minutes, and P. Vukcevic came on for the hosts on 80 minutes alongside a yellow card for P. Jasovic. The visitors added their own substitutions, with Y. Yao arriving late in the 90+2 minute slot. Mornar saw yellow cards for S. Radojevic on 87 and J. Dasic on 90, while Budućnost's N. Stijepovic was booked on 89, with one additional card on 90+1.
The statistics tell a story of possession without penetration. Budućnost held 0.56 of the ball and registered 83 attacks compared to Mornar's 81, but their shots were largely ineffective — only one on target against eight for the hosts. Mornar won the aerial battle with nine corners to two, and their shot accuracy proved decisive. Eight shots on target for one goal difference is not a lot of room for error, and Budućnost's single shot on target from five attempts left them empty-handed.
The result extends Mornar's unbeaten run to six games, including draws against Arsenal Tivat and Jezero as well as victories over Mladost DG and Athletic Club d'Escauldès in recent weeks. Budućnost's form has been inconsistent — a win against Sutjeska and two victories over Iskra and OFK Belgrade earlier in the season have been offset by a loss to Dečić and two goalless draws. The hosts now sit four points clear of the visitors with a game in hand, and the gap looks set to widen unless the visitors find a way to convert their possession into something more meaningful.