Hull City AFC manager Sergej Jakirovic announced a cash bonus for players Amir Hadziahmetovic and Charlie Hughes following their effective execution of a set-piece that contributed to the team’s 2-1 victory against Southampton on October 7, 2023. The win marked a significant milestone as Hull climbed back into the play-off positions, despite facing numerous challenges with player injuries.
Jakirovic has emphasized the importance of scoring from dead-ball situations throughout the season. He expressed his satisfaction after Hadziahmetovic’s corner was successfully converted by Hughes, extending Hull’s lead in the first half of the match. The manager also praised Kyle Joseph for his impressive opening goal, likening his finish to that of football legend Lionel Messi.
“We are very happy, congratulations to the lads. Tactically, we were good. The first goal, Kyle finished like Messi. From my angle, it was the perfect goal,” Jakirovic stated. He further confirmed the bonuses for Hadziahmetovic and Hughes, stating, “I cannot say what the bonus is, but it is cash. It is my promise. Everything is about the money in football.”
Despite the victory, Hull faced a tough match, with 11 players unavailable due to injuries. Jakirovic reflected on the difficulties the team encountered, stating, “It was a very difficult game for us, especially as we have a lot of problems with 11 injuries. We also lost a couple more in this game, so god knows who we’ll play on Tuesday.” He expressed gratitude towards his players for their resilience, highlighting their commitment to each other amidst the challenges.
The match was characterized by Southampton’s dominance in possession, where they recorded a remarkable 22 shots. However, Hull’s defense held firm against the pressure. Ross Stewart found the net for Southampton, but it was too late to change the outcome, marking the first home defeat for Southampton’s manager, Tonda Eckert.
Eckert took time after the match to address the team, acknowledging the disappointing result. “It’s us all together,” he remarked. “I won’t throw anyone under the bus. We are all responsible. We are not where we want to be and I will do everything to turn it around.” He noted the importance of addressing the team’s shortcomings candidly, indicating that the players themselves also shared their thoughts on the situation.
“There were some very hard truths to be told, not just from me but between the players. Character shows in tough moments. We started off in a honeymoon here, but every marriage has some tough moments. We need to find a way through it together,” Eckert added, emphasizing the need for unity in overcoming their current challenges.
Reflecting on the match, Eckert pointed out the disparity between the chances created by both teams. “There are two stories to the game – the amount of chances we had, and the amount of chances they had. If you look at that, there should only be one winner, but the reality is a different one. We should not be conceding two chances at home, but I still think there we had more than enough chances to win the game and we didn’t.”
As the season progresses, both Hull City and Southampton will be looking to address their respective challenges. For Hull, the focus will remain on building momentum and capitalizing on their recent successes, while Southampton will seek to regroup and find solutions to their inconsistencies on the pitch.
