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A goal in each game by Wilson Oruma helped Servette FC to a 1-1
second-leg draw, and a 2-1 aggregate success, against SK Slavia
Praha in the UEFA Cup first round.
Two-goal hero
The striker, whose 75th-minute strike in
Switzerland had given his side a slender advantage going into the
return at the Strahov stadium, was on target again to set up a
comfortable victory achieved despite the late sending-off of
midfielder Claiton Alberto.
Flicked header
The Swiss dominated the game from the
start and almost went ahead after five minutes when Yves Miéville’s
flicked header from a corner cannoned off the post.
On a high
Full of confidence after going top of Swiss
Nationalliga A at the weekend, Servette continued to exert all the
early pressure and it was no surprise when Wilson Oruma put them
ahead after 13 minutes. The Nigerian connected sweetly with Goran
Obradovic’s left-wing cross and his powerful low drive from the edge
area found the bottom corner.
Smart save
With a two-goal cushion, Servette eased off
as the half went on, but the closest the home side came before the
interval was a shot on the turn by Ludek Zelenka which brought a
smart save from Eric Pédat.
Slavia chances
Slavia came out with more purpose in the
second half and twice Richard Dostálek headed over from close range.
Zelenka also hit the foot of the post with a sliding effort.
Dill denied
But the Swiss side continued to look
dangerous on the break and their forward Dill squandered two
glorious opportunities to make the game safe. On both occasions, he
was thwarted by home goalkeeper Michal Václavík in one-on-one
situations.
Ray of hope
Slavia were given a ray of hope when
Claiton was sent off midway through the half for two bookings in the
space of two minutes, but they were unable to breach the Servette
rearguard until the 89th minute. Adam Petrouš fired in a right-foot
volley from Lumír Sedlácek's enticing cross.
Goal-line stop
In the final minute, Slavia went
close to scoring a second following a goalmouth scramble, but
Thierno Bah was on hand to clear off the line.
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