http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/SL-Benfica-c40542 2 (Luisao, Cardozo): UEFA Europa League recap
PSV Eindhoven were left disappointed after SL Benfica ended their UEFA Europa League campaign at Philips Stadion. The return leg of the quarter-final between the two sides ended in a 2-2 stalemate on Thursday, April 14, 2011, meaning that the Eagles have progressed through to the semi-finals with a 6-3 aggregate win over the Dutch Eredivisie giants.
The first leg of the quarter-finals tie had resulted in a 4-1 hammering for the Boeren and there was not much hope going into this encounter. However, the Boeren remained optimistic to overturn the three-goal deficit in front of their home crowd.
PSV started the match with some intent, eager to create an early breakthrough. Their positive approach paid off in the 17th minute when PSV’s top goal scorer, Balazs Dzsudzsak, gave his side a 1-0 lead. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jeremain-Lens-c18323 whipped in a brilliant cross from the right flank and Dzsudzsak made no mistake in finding the back of the net.
Things were favouring the home side, as Lens doubled their lead in the 25th minute of the match. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Otman-Bakkal-c28851's through ball found Lens clear on goal and he made no mistakes with the finish.
The Eagles were shocked with goals in quick succession but soon regained their composure. They replied strongly and put constant pressure on the Boeren back line, eventually clawing a goal back. Benfica won a free kick just outside of the box in the stoppage time of the first-half. The initial shot was parried by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andreas-Isaksson-c5736, but Luisao pounced on the loose ball and his acrobatic volley flew into the net to make the score line read 2-1.
Things started rather slowly after the break. PSV’s chances of a comeback were quenched when the visitors were awarded a spot kick following a lose challenge by Marcelo inside the box. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oscar-c28720 Cardozo kept his cool to slot home the penalty. Parity had been restored and PSV required a miracle to progress through to the next round.
Fred Rutten, the PSV manager, made a double substitution in the 72nd minute, bringing on Jagos Vukovic and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcus-Berg-c23815 for Antonio Marcelo and Abel Tamata respectively. However, the Boeren were unable to threaten the visitors back line. Stefan Nijland replaced Manolev five minutes from time in a desperate bid to turn things around but the tie was all over by then, as the referee brought the proceedings to an end shortly afterwards.
The home crowd appreciated the efforts put in by the Boeren throughout the competition and the players left the field to wild applause. Rutten will now turn his attention towards the Eredivisie, where his team are still in race for the title.
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