FC Utrecht defeated by Celtic: 0-2

2010-08-19 22:30:00

Next week FC Utrecht will have to make good a 2-0 arrears against Cetic in Stadium Galgenwaard to get through to the group phase of the Europa League. Ton du Chatinier’s squad had to accept both counter goals in the first half of the first play-off match in Celtic Park on Thursday evening.

‘We certainly haven’t lost the race yet’, Du Chatinier said after the match. In a seething Galgenwaard anything is possible next week.’

Initially FC Utrecht stood very firm in the game. Mulenga even had two chances in the early stages. He could aim for a shot at the goal and had a chance for a header. And that was it for Mulenga’s contribution. The striker got injured and had to leave the pitch after seventeen minutes. Duplan was his substitute.

After Mulenga had dropped out Celtic took the initiative and stepped up the pace considerably. In the fourteenth minute the home team already got a splendid chance. From close quarters Maloney was allowed to shoot at the goal. Vorm came to the rescue on the line with his foot, after which Wuytens could clear out.

Five minutes later, however, Celtic hit the mark. Juárez managed to appear before Vorm alone and kicked the ball past the FC Utrecht goal keeper. The Scots kept putting pressure and enlarged the lead in the 34th minute. A high pass surpassed Schut and reached Samaras near the second post. The Greek kicked the ball in the short corner: 2-0.

‘We joined in the game well and even had a few chances, but we gave away the goals too easily’, Du Chatinier said. It was quite annoying that Mulenga had to leave the pitch so soon, because he is a player who can apply his physical strength in the game.’ Also after half time Celtic were still the better team, but did not put so much pressure on the game as they had done in the first thirty minutes of the first half. Vorm prevented a third counter goal with his reaction to a header by Forrest.

In the second half FC Utrecht had two moments when they possibly could have improved the point of departure for the home match. Duplan was near that point, but Celtic goalkeeper Zaluska tipped his header over the goal. Later in the second half a well carried out attack by FC Utrecht reached Duplan, who tried to launch the available Van Wolfswinkel from the by-line in vain.

The FC Utrecht supporters continued to support the team during the entire match and it was remarkable that the successful actions by the FC Utrecht players were also received with applause by the Celtic fans.

Watch the exclusive highlights of the match and Ton du Chatinier’s , Alje Schut’s and Edouard’s comments on FC Utrecht.TV

Characteristics
19. Juárez 1-0
34. Samaras 2-0

Referee: Oddvar Moen (Noo)
Yellow cards FC Utrecht: Lensky, Nijholt

Line-up FC Utrecht: Vorm, Cornelisse, Wuytens, Schut, Nesu, Asare, Silberbauer, Lensky (Nijholt/82), Mertens, Mulenga (Duplan/17), Van Wolfswinkel

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