Anzhi Knock Vitesse Arnhem Out of Europa League

© RIA Novosti . Anton Denisov / Go to the mediabankAnzhi vs Vitesse Arnhem
Anzhi vs Vitesse Arnhem  - Sputnik International
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Samuel Eto’o made it four goals in four Europa League games as Anzhi secured a playoff place with a 2-0 win at ten-man Vitesse Arnhem that meant a 4-0 win on aggregate.

Samuel Eto’o made it four goals in four Europa League games as Anzhi secured a playoff place with a 2-0 win at ten-man Vitesse Arnhem that meant a 4-0 win on aggregate.

The first goal came after a struggle between Eto’o and Vitesse’s Georgian defender Guram Kashia in the box on 47 minutes and was awarded to the Cameroon striker despite suggestions it may have been an own goal.

Eto’o added his second from the penalty spot on 84 minutes with Kashia at fault again, this time conceding the penalty for a foul on Anzhi’s Shamil Lakhiyalov.

Anzhi are now just one round away from their first appearance in the group stage of a European competition, but must come through a playoff tie later this month, with their opponents to be drawn Friday.

On his return to his native Netherlands, Guus Hiddink set Anzhi up to frustrate Vitesse’s attacks, a strategy which worked well for most of the match.

Both goalscorers from Anzhi’s 2-0 win in the first leg, Oleg Shatov and Fyodor Smolov, were left on the bench as Hiddink shook up the team, giving a rare start to midfielder Kamil Agalarov.

One of Vitesse’s best chances to mount a challenge came when Anzhi goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov parried Jonathan Reis’ free-kick into the path of striker Wilfried Bony on 23 minutes, only for the Ivorian to strike the ball wide.

The Dutch team’s chances of getting back into the tie after Eto’o’s opener were dashed after their German midfielder Simon Cziommer was red-carded on 55 minutes for picking up a second booking.

Vitesse pushed forward in the dying minutes in hope of a consolation goal but it was not to be as Gabulov saved an effort from Bony and Giorgi Chanturia and Mike Havenaar both saw shots blocked.

Shatov came on as a substitute and almost gave Anzhi a third goal in stoppage time when he seized on a defensive error to play in Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez, but Vitesse goalkeeper Piet Velthuizen turned the Moroccan’s shot round the post.

 

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