Duk was the toast of a packed-out Pittodrie as he returned from exile to help Aberdeen eke out a 3-2 victory over 10-man Hearts and maintain their perfect start to the campaign under Jimmy Thelin.
The Dons extended their remarkable winning run to 13 matches in all competitions but only after being given a huge scare by bottom-of-the-table Hearts, who were on top for long periods until Jorge Grant was sent off in the 75th minute with the match poised at 2-2.
Duk was given a huge ovation from the home support as he came on for his first appearance of the season on the hour mark after being temporarily suspended by the club for going AWOL in the summer.
The striker was the man fouled by Grant as he picked up his second yellow before he laid on an 88th-minute winner for fellow sub Ante Palaversa, sparking delirious scenes among a home support who spent the closing stages singing about their team “going to win the league”, and “bring on the Celtic”, a reference to their next opponents after the international break in what promises to be a mouth-watering top-of-the-table showdown.
Thelin sent out the same team that started the 2-1 win at Dundee the previous week, while interim Hearts boss Liam Fox made six changes to the side that started the Conference League win over Dinamo Minsk in Azerbaijan on Thursday.
Aberdeen got off to the perfect start in the second minute when Topi Keskinen’s shot from the edge of the box took a significant deflection off Kye Rowles and eluded Craig Gordon on its way into the net after Stephen Kingsley had been caught in possession.
The visitors responded strongly and Lawrence Shankland spurned two big chances to equalise before Jamie McGrath made a vital intervention to stop Grant knocking in Daniel Oyegoke’s cross.
Rowles had to get back to make a vital block on Dons striker Kevin Nisbet but Hearts continued to be the more threatening side, with a couple of teasing, inswinging Yan Dhanda crosses from the left just eluding Grant and then Frankie Kent.
A high, looping effort by Dhanda from 25 yards out was tipped over by Dimitar Mitov in the 35th minute, resulting in a corner from which Hearts equalised. James Penrice’s delivery found its way to Shankland, who cleverly dinked the ball back across goal for Kent to nod home.
Shankland – who had been booked on the half hour – was fortunate to avoid a second yellow after a couple of fouls just before the break.
The visitors spurned a glorious chance to go ahead in the 53rd minute when Kenneth Vargas darted clear on goal after capitalising on hesitancy between Jack MacKenzie and Gavin Molloy, but – with the option of squaring to Shankland – the Costa Rican opted to try and chip Mitov, and the ball drifted over the bar.
Duk entered the fray to rapturous applause on the hour but Hearts remained the side in the ascendancy and they took the lead in the 63rd minute when Blair Spittal rifled in a low shot from the edge of the box.
The visitors’ advantage lasted just two minutes, however, as Nicky Devlin – preparing to join up with the Scotland squad this week after earning his first call-up – shot home from 20 yards out. Grant was booked for dissent in the aftermath of the goal and he was then shown his second yellow for chopping down Duk.
The Dons suddenly had the upper hand and after a sustained spell of pressure Palaversa lashed a shot high into the net from a Duk cutback.
[(Racing Club de Avellaneda) Strength]: 1. Racing Club de Avellaneda lost their first encounter 0-1, so they cannot afford any loss this time and must go all out to win, fully motivated.2. In the last domestic league game, Adrian Balboa performed well and scored the first goal to put the team ahead.3. Racing Club de Avellaneda scored 5 goals and conceded 5 in the last 5 games with good performance...
[(Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Strength]: 1. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors performed stably across all competitions this season. Since April, the team have remained unbeaten in the last 20 matches.2. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors scored at halftime in 4 consecutive games, getting into form quickly on offense.3. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors scored at least 2 goals per game in 5 consecutive matches, showing strong attack.4....
[(Velez Sarsfield) Strength]: 1. During their first encounter, Velez Sarsfield played a goalless draw. In this home game, they vow to grab a win and advance, with full motivation.2. Braian Romero withstood the pressure in the last game and scored a penalty in the final moment, helping the team seal a last-gasp victory.3. Velez Sarsfield defeated Club Atletico Independiente 2-1 in the last game, wh...
[(Ferencvaros) Strength]: 1. Ferencvaros are motivated to win this home game and take the lead in advancing.2. Cadu scored a goal in the last game, once helping the team tie the game.3. Ferencvaros received 3 wins and 1 loss in the last 4 home games, revealing outstanding home performances.4. Ferencvaros scored 11 goals and conceded 3 in the last 5 games, boasting excellent attack and solid defens...
[(Gwangju FC) Strength]: 1. The first leg of the Semi-finals will see Gwangju FC play at home first. They hope to grab the advantage, with full motivation.2. Gwangju FC forward Reis scored twice in the last game, being in good form.3. Gwangju FC performed well and scored a 2-0 win over Daejeon Hana Citizen in hte last game, thus getting back on the winning ways.4. AH market provided home team a -1...
[(FC Machida Zelvia) Strength]: 1. In the last league game, Korean internationals Oh Se Hun and Na Sang Ho both scored in open play, showing decent performances.2. This game is FC Machida Zelvia's fourth consecutive home game, which is in favor of them.3. FC Machida Zelvia won 3-0 over Cerezo Osaka in the last league game, securing a 10-game winning streak across all competitions.4. FC Machida Zel...
[(Crvena Zvezda) Strength]: 1. Crvena Zvezda vow to win this home game in order to grab the advancing advantage, with full motivation.2. Aleksandar Katai performed very well in the last domestic league game. He scored a hat-trick in a win for the team.3. Crvena Zvezda defeated Mladost Lucani 4-1 in the last domestic league game. They achieved 7 wins and 1 draw in the last 8 games, being in red-hot...
[(Sao Paulo FC) Strength]: 1. Sao Paulo FC drew with Atletico Nacional in the first leg on the road. They will advance to the next round if they win this round at home, indicating full motivation to win.2. Sao Paulo FC signed Serie A team Atalanta BC captain Rafael Toloi recently. He is expected to make his debut in this match.3. Sao Paulo FC drew 2-2 with Sport Club do Recife in the last league g...
[(Chengdu Rongcheng FC) Strength]: 1. Chengdu Rongcheng FC drew 0-0 with Qingdao Hainiu F.C. in the last Chinese Super League, ending their winning streak. However, the team were unbeaten with 5 wins and 1 draw in the last 6 games, showing commendable performances.2. Chengdu Rongcheng FC scored 12 goals in the last 5 home games, revealing outstanding attack at home.3. Chengdu Rongcheng FC are now ...
[(Sanfrecce Hiroshima) Strength]: 1. Sanfrecce Hiroshima have achieved 14 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses in the league so far this season. They have scored 30 goals and conceded 18 goals in 26 league matches, and currently rank 5th in the league standings. The team will play at home in this game and have a strong desire to win.2. Naoto Arai, the main defender of Sanfrecce Hiroshima, has performed stea...
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