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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

FENERBAHCE'S DREAM OVER IN THE CL!...

Fenerbahce 1 Porto 2

Lisandro Lopez scored twice as Porto booked their place in the Champions League knockout stages with a fine 2-1 win over Fenerbahce in Istanbul.

The Argentinian opened the scoring at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium with a tap-in after goalkeeper Volkan Demirel's flap at a looping cross, and then added another before the break after appearing to control the ball with his arm.

Fenerbahce improved following the half-time introduction of Colin Kazim-Richards, and the former Sheffield United player pulled a goal back with a deflected shot, but the Turkish club could not find an equaliser and crashed out of the competition.

Luis Aragones' side were dominant early on in front of their typically vocal supporters but Lisandro showed the Portuguese champions were up for the fight with a low shot just wide from the edge of the box in the ninth minute.

And it was Turkey goalkeeper Volkan who made the first save of the match in the 13th minute, when he acrobatically tipped over Raul Meireles' well-hit drive after a fine run by Lisandro down the left.

The match was wide open and Gokhan should have done better when he shot across the face of goal from 12 yards - and Fenerbahce were left to rue that miss when Porto took the lead in the 19th minute.

Bruno Alves' hopeful looped cross from the right should have been dealt with by Volkan but he could only palm the ball down to Lisandro who shot home from close range.

Two minutes later Edu glanced a header inches wide for the hosts.

Lisandro made it two in the 28th minute when he collected a throw-in, seemingly with the help of his arm, turned and shot, and although Volkan parried the Argentinian's effort, he stabbed the rebound into the net.

Fenerbahce were stunned and Porto were almost three up before the break when Tomas Costa's lob bounced back off the post after a quick break.

After the half-time introduction of substitute Kazim-Richards, the Turkish club nearly pulled a fortuitous goal back two minutes into the second period but the ball flew just off target after a series of ricochets.

Hulk then outmuscled Edu to go one-on-one with Volkan but the keeper did well to parry his shot.

Kazim-Richards finally reduced the arrears in the 64th minute when his 20-yard shot looped into the net off Alves, but that was as good as it got as classy Porto held on comfortably to join Group G colleagues Arsenal in the last 16.

Teams:

Fenerbahce Demirel, Roberto Carlos, Gonul, Cakmak, Boral,Edu Dracena, Emre (Kazim-Richards 46), Alex, Guiza, Josico,Deivid (Yilmaz 77).

Subs Not Used: Babacan, Wederson, Bilgin, Turaci, Maldonado.

Booked: Emre, Cakmak, Boral, Edu Dracena, Gonul.

Goals: Kazim-Richards 64.

FC Porto Helton, Bruno Alves, Pedro Emanuel, Fucile, Rolando,Rodriguez (Mariano Gonzalez 74), Raul Meireles,Costa (Guarin 61), Fernando, Lopez, Hulk (Pele 79).

Subs Not Used: Nuno, Stepanov, Lino, Sektioui.

Booked: Fernando.

Goals: Lopez 18, 28.

Att: 35,000

Ref: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain).

1 comment:

  1. At least there is still a chance for third place!

    ReplyDelete