Intertoto cup semi-final, first leg

Málaga 2 - Willem II 1

Málaga: Contreras; Josemi, Fernando Sanz, Roteta, Valcarce; Gerardo, Sandro (Duda 80'), Edgar (Manu 66'), Musampa; Koke (Leko 64'), Dely Valdés. 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 33. Koke. Controlled pass in from Valcarce and shot wide of De Vlieger
1-1. 60. Jaliens. Got ahead of Fernando Sanz to head past Contreras
2-1. 62. Dely Valdés (penalty).After Jaliens brought down Dely himself in the area.

A second half penalty by Dely Valdés spared Málaga's blushes and put them back on track in their quest to reach the UEFA cup for the first time in their history. Joaquín Peiró's side had seen their one goal lead cancelled out on the hour mark when a lapse of concentration by Fernando Sanz let in Jaliens to head past Contreras. However only a minute later the goalscorer brought down the Panamanian striker in the area, and he stepped up to drill the ball past De Vlieger.

It was just reward as Málaga had been by far the better team in the first half, with Sandro hitting the post early on. A few minutes later they opened the scoring when youngster Koke, making his debut with the first team, had coolly beaten De Vlieger from Valcarce's pass. With an away goal against them though, the return leg in Holland next Wednesday will not be easy. (31.07.02)