Remarkable Secelean after stunning hat-trick against Pepito's

Dan Secelean guides Kattegat to break the curse

Toribio Hauge-Petersen14, June 2022

Kattegat: Ocampos, Maciel, Sostegni, Salin (Bajac 68), Segura, Galbassini, Tobeiner, Pizzi, Makkonen, Secelean (42, 43, 64) (Chaparro 80)

R. Davidiano: Rindaroy, Kroeker, Ré, Brunner-Negrelli, Mazzuoccolo, Chlápek, Radivojevic, Taganikas, Nessab, Koralis, Tomaylla

MVP: Secelean (Kattegat Raiders)

Referee: Randy Zeindler (Switzerland)

Attendance: 48.102

Venue: The Hall of the Æsir

Dan Secelean scored his first league hat-trick, and collects five goals already in two games to fire Kattegat Raiders to a 3-0 victory over Pepito’s at the Hall of the Æsir on last Saturday, and also having fired his 223th career goal, strengthening the club's bid to secure a place within the top 4 of the league.

A near-perfect weekend for Secelean and Kattegat saw top-four competitors Carpinchos and Cordillerana both win their games, yet Raiders remain in the third position with four games left.

The 37-year-old Romanian striker was on the scoresheet with two dead balls in just two minutes (42’, 43’), a brilliant free kick that found the back of the net and a penalty neatly put away by him against Pepito’s.

His third goal in the second-half was again by a marvelous free kick which shut the winning score for Kattegat.

In many ways, the winner was signature Secelean, a stunning free-kick to cap a hat-trick and secure a vital win for his team. And yet the fact it was scored via free-kicks is always distinctly Secelean-like.

After the game, Raiders coach Harasser praised Secelean's "crucial" impact.

"Like against 3 Copas, he was very crucial today," Harasser told reporters.

"The first and the third goal weren’t just easy goals, the way that he took those goals... was just outstanding, well, he makes these things look easy."

“Truly genius”, affirmed Pizzi to KATTV after the match. “He’s become an important piece for the team, as well as Tobeiner, Brune, Makkonen… It’s a big effort by the club managers bringing these players to join the team, so we have a lot of work and many things yet to improve looking ahead.”, he added.

With this, Raiders are undefeated for five competitive games with five wins in a row. By next league match Kattegat will have to visit the strongest team in the series, La Chuchu.

Raiders closed two reinforcements before facing 3 Copas

"Operation Jomsvikings" underway

Lena Franksdóttir, 3 June 2022

The club decided during the current week a surprise and another bet: Tobeiner and Secelean.

Both players already had their training at Nordheimkamp (Kattegat Training Centre) and have come with the aim of proving their value and experience; they are expected to become key starters due to Raiders' need.

These two new Viking stars appear to be more of a gamble. Harasser's team clearly needed to strengthen the midfield and the attack, so the German coach specifically asked  for players capable of generating play and for that reason Kattegat went in search of these two names.

Harasser during today's press conference spoke to the media: "we are very glad to have these two great footballers, they will fit perfectly with our different game plans. We can say that Kattegat have added value to their game, 'cause they will give a lot of their quality and experience to the club". "Dan Secelean is quick and an amazing set piece taker while Tobeiner is a great header, playmaker as well as an important leader in the pitch" added the head coach.

Gosbert Tobeiner (37) will wear the number 24 shirt as he did at his last club. Tobeiner brings all of his experience and wisdom to the Raiders' midfield as a former competitor in the Hattrick Masters, where he played three matches. Dan Secelean (37) is also an experienced player who carries an outstanding background as a forward with more that 210 goals scored during his prolific career so far.