| UEFA Cup | |
|
Betis 2 - AZ Alkmaar 0 Betis: Contreras;
Varela, Melli, Juanito, Luis Fernández; Arzu, Rivera; Joaquín
(Oscar López 87'), Robert (Israel 80'), Edu ; Dani (Tardelli 63').
4-2-3-1. Goals: Betis got off to a confident start in the UEFA cup, a 2-0 victory over Alkmaar leaving them with a good chance of qualifying for the last 16. The Andalusians, who were playing their first game in the competition after dropping out of the Champions League, were on top early on, with Edu shooting over and Juanito heading wide from a corner. Louis Van Gaal's side had not lost a game for two months though, and the ex Barcelona coach made his first substitution on the half hour mark, bringing on De Zeeuw who almost immediately put Contreras to the test. Luis Fernández had to clear an effort off the line from the resulting corner, but Melli could have opened the scoring at the other end had Timmer not been on his toes. The Dutch team came close to taking the lead after the restart when Arveladze shot wide with only the keeper to beat, and then when Van Galen got on the end of Meerdink's free kick, and Contreras was lucky to get off with a yellow card when he brought down an opponent outside the area. But Edu headed Varela's cross against the post, and soon afterwards substitute Tardelli put the hosts ahead with an impressive volley after a good run by Joaquín. It was the winter signing's first goal for his new club, and eight minutes later his fellow Brazilian Robert also got his name on the scoresheet after taking advantage of a hesitant defence to score. Israel came on for the forward immediately afterwards and could have made it three, but two should probably be enough to take them through in the return leg in Holland next Thursday. |
|
 |