Fenerbahce sees Salzburg off and goes on CL battle

Fenerbahce is one step closer to the Champions League group phase after eliminating Austria's Red Bull Salzburg with a 3-1 victory at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul Aug. 6. The Yellow Canaries overturned an early goal by the visitors to cruise to the playoff stage, capitalizing on a 1-1 first-leg draw played in Mozart's hometown.

The Austrians opened the score just as in the first game when Spanish striker Jonathan Soriano took advantage of a huge defensive mistake in Fenerbahce's area in the 4th minute to push the ball inside the net.

However, unlike the first game, the Yellow Canaries did not wait for the injury time to respond to Salzburg's opener. Only three minutes later, Portuguese international Raul Meireles equalized with a terrific strike from outside the area putting the ball far from the reach of goalkeeper Putar Gulacsi.

Ersun Yanal had opted for an offensive display, characteristic of his coaching, in his official debut at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium, starting the game with his three most dangerous players: Moussa Sow, Pierre Webo and Dirk Kuyt. The strategy payed off connection between the three strikers proved lethal in the 17th minute as Sow culminated a passing exchange between the former Liverpool star and the Cameroonian international with an unstoppable shot.

Fenerbahe players also demanded a penalty for a handball in the 28th minute, after the ball was deflected by defense player Stefan Ilsanker's hand. But the Czech referee Pawel Gil continued the game.

With the momentum on their side, Fenerbahce found a third goal, this time with Webo beating the goalkeeper one-on-one following an assist from his partner in crime, Sow.

The score did not change in further Salzburg attacks and Fenerbahçe secured the 4-2 aggregate to move forward in the competition.

alzburg off