No fortune for Feyenoord against smart Moscow

Thursday 06 November 2008

Feyenoord lost 1-3 against CSKA Moscow tonight in their second group game in the UEFA Cup, but with that score the Russians got more than they deserved.

Feyenoord were without any fortune tonight, missing some enormous chances and conceding in the worst possible moments.

But as coach Gertjan Verbeek justly said after the game, Feyenoord played well and can be hopeful for the future.

But again - as so often, this season - Feyenoord stood empty handed, and have to win both remaining matches against Deportivo La Coruna and Lech Poznan.

Feyenoord appeared nervous in the opening minutes of the game and seemed to have too much respect for their strong Russian opponents.

Moscow played a smooth passing game from the back, but Feyenoord's defense looked solid and didn't give away much.

Yet Feyenoord were the first to concede in the 14th minute.

Captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst failed to mark Berezoutski at a corner and the defender headed home from five meters out at the near post: 0-1.

The goal was Feyenoord's wake up call though.

The home team grabbed the initiative and pushed CSKA back in their own half, mostly led by youngster Geeorgino Wijnaldum.

First Makaay hit the bar with a strong header and five minutes after that warning Van Bronckhorst made up for his earlier mistake by scoring the equalizer.

It was a great move through the center that put the Feyenoord skipper face to face with Akinfeyev: 1-1.

Feyenoord then went looking for more goals but five minutes before half-time another mistake by Van Bronckhorst - and this time an even bigger one - put the Russians ahead again.

The former Barcelona player wanted to head a bouncing ball back to his goal keeper, but miss hit it and headed it straight into the path of the poaching Vágner Love.

The Brazilian made no mistake and beat Timmer easily.

It was a big blow for the hosts who were the better team at that stage.

After the break Feyenoord pushed CSKA back deep into their own half and the best chance when Makaay was sent down the channel.

But Feyenoord's center forward struck the ball inches wide.

Just when Feyenoord seemed to get ready for their final offensive yet another silly mistake and a brilliant display by Vágner Love decided the game.

Verbeek took of holding midfielder Karim El Ahmadi for an extra forward, but at the very first counter attack Feyenoord seemed to have forgotten that El Ahmadi was no longer there.

It forced forward Diego Biseswar to commit a desperate foul and from the free kick Vágner Love beat the entire Feyenoord defense to make it 1-3.

The game then burned up like a candle and not even the second yellow card for Aldoninn five minutes from the end could change that.

Feyenoord-CSKA Moscow 1-3
0-1 13' V. Berezoutski
1-1 29' Van Bronckhorst
1-2 40' Vágner Love
1-3 81' Vágner Love