The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Leverkusen shock Chelsea, qualify for next round Posted: 23 Nov 2011 03:15 PM PST  Chelsea players watch as their goalkeeper Petr Cech is beaten during the Champions League match against Leverkusen, November 23, 2011. — Reuters pic Didier Drogba had fired Chelsea ahead with a low drive three minutes into the second half but substitute Eren Derdiyok levelled with a far-post header in the 73rd minute. That was still looking a good result for Chelsea but they lost their concentration from a stoppage-time corner when Friedrich connected with a solid header. Germany's Leverkusen, who face Genk in their last group match in December, top the group on nine points, one ahead of Chelsea and Valencia and are guaranteed progress because of their record against both Chelsea and the Spaniards, who thrashed Genk 7-yesterday. A win for Chelsea against Valencia at Stamford Bridge or a goalless draw would send them through while a score draw or defeat would see the Spaniards into the last 16. "It is always a bit lucky if you score in the last minute but we believed in it, we have a young team," Leverkusen's Ballack said after victory over his former club. "During the game I didn't feel we believed that we could win the game. Chelsea felt that and got stronger and scored and deserved it , but then we had nothing to lose, we risked a bit more and I think we deserved the victory." After seeing his expensive side fall to a fourth defeat in seven games in all competitions, Chelsea coach Andre Villas-Boas said: "We had a big chance to go 2-0 up but our focus must be on Valencia now. It will be a good head to head battle. "We were compact and disciplined until the last moment. In this competition if you make a mistake you pay a heavy price." After a mediocre first half where Ballack, marking his 100th international appearance with what turned into a command performance, hit the crossbar with a header, Chelsea took a deserved lead early in the second half when Drogba turned well in the box to score with a low shot. However the hosts, beaten finalists 10 seasons ago, forced their way back into the game and levelled with a well-crafted goal for substitute Derdiyok a minute after coming on. They then sent their fans wild when Chelsea fell asleep at a corner and Friedrich rose high to strike at the death. "We've been suffering a lot, conceding a lot of goals, but we haven't conceded from a corner for a long time, I think that was the first time," said Villas-Boas. "We were compact and disciplined in set plays but one detail in the last moment...we need to get the concentration and focus right. No excuses, if we have to go one more step up that's what we have to do." Delighted Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt said his players deserved the win after delivering a passionate performance. "Just like against Valencia we turned around a game," he told reporters. "That shows character and the quality of our team. We will try to hold on to top spot in Genk." — Reuters Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Van Persie fires Gunners through Posted: 23 Nov 2011 03:10 PM PST  Van Persie (left) celebrates with team mate Walcott after scoring against Dortmund at the Emirates stadium in London November 23, 2011. — Reuters pic Van Persie scored for the 16th and 17th time in 18 appearances for Arsenal this season when he headed home after a superb run and cross from Alex Song after 49 minutes. The Dutchman made it 2-0 when he swept in from close range in the closing stages. Shinji Kagawa got a consolation for Dortmund with the last kick of the game. Dortmund had to win to stand any chance of advancing themselves, but apart from a couple of early attempts and one half-chance in the second half, they never looked like ending Arsenal's long unbeaten home run in the group stage of the competition. Dortmund's game plan was disrupted midway through the first half when they lost midfielders Sven Bender and Mario Goetze within minutes of each other, and Arsenal gradually took control of the match and rarely looked in danger. With three points their sole objective, it was not surprising that the German champions took the game to Arsenal almost from the kickoff with Arsenal's Wojciech Szczesny the busier of the two keepers in the early stages. Robert Lewandwoski and Shinji Kagawa had the first attempts while Arsenal were content to soak up Dortmund's early forays, looking to hit the Germans on the break. Theo Walcott forced goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller to rush from his goal and clear after he had earlier made an easy catch from a Van Persie header. However, as the opening half progressed the game became bogged down in midfield. But Dortmund's game plan was hit midway through the half when, in quick succession, Bender and the highly promising teenager Goetze were both injured and replaced by Moritz Leitner and Ivan Perisic. Arsenal took control at the start of the second half with Van Persie's first goal and, although Weidenfeller got a hand to his powerful downward header, he could not stop the Dutchman's effort. His second came minutes from the end when he swept the ball in after Thomas Vermaelen headed on. — Reuters Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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