FC Utrecht – Celtic 4-0!
2010-08-26 22:15:00On Thursday FC Utrecht qualified for the group phase of the Europa League after an unparalleled show in a seething Galgenwaard. With three goals by Van Wolfswinkel and one goal by Maguire, Ton du Chatinier’s squad left the team with the famous football name Celtic FC completely without any chance.
FC Utrecht had a fantastic start. Within twenty minutes the 0-2 arrears suffered in Glasgow had been smoothed away. After the equally balanced and quiet first twenty minutes there was a good opportunity after a pass by Mertens. The in-turning ball was headed back at the distant goal post to Van Wolfswinkel, who was close to scoring the opening goal.
That was the beginning of a very strong performance of the well-playing team FC Utrecht, who played with a lot of passion. In the next offensive action Celtic goalkeeper Zaluska had to come to the rescue with the greatest effort to stop a free kick by Mertens. One minute later the ball was on the penalty spot after Silberbauer had been fouled. Van Wolfwinkel’s kick from eleven metres diasappeared into the net via Zaluska’s hand, 1-0.
In the eighteenth minute the Spanish referee again resolutely pointed at penalty spot. Now it was the goalkeeper Zaluska who fouled Mertens who was broken through. Van Wolfswinkel kept his cool and chose the other corner this time, leaving the Polish goalkeeper without any chance. Stadium Galgenwaard exploded.
Celtic were completely put in their place by the home team. In the first half the Scots failed to get Vorm into trouble one single time. A stray swipe by Fortuné that went way over the goal and a simple catch by Vorm after an ill-considered free kick were Celtic’s only achievements.
In fact it was FC Utrecht who could have struck a third time in the final phase of the first half. An excellent assist by Van Wolfswinkel reached Mertens. His shot bounced from the pitch on the cross-bar.
In the second half FC Utrecht continued business as they did during the first 45 minutes. One minute after half time the 3-0 was scored after all. In the switchover Asare started a rush from his own half towards the Celtic goal after a fantastic move. Via Duplan the attack reached Van Wolfswinkel , who cleverly placed the ball in the distant corner, 3-0. Then Asare suffered from a hamstring injury and had to leave the pitch.
He was subsituted by Maguire, who gave FC Utrecht a comfortable lead with a long shot , nine minutes after his entry. With less than thirty minutes to go, Celtic had to score twice to keep FC Utrecht from the group phase of the Europa League. Celtic seemed to realize their awkward situation only in the final phase of the match.
The Utrecht defence simply kept their footing though. Until the very last minute the best chances were for Du Chatinier’s team, who can now prepare themselves for a follow-up in the European adventure.
Characteristics
11. Van Wolfswinkel 1-0 (pen)
19. Van Wolfswinkel 2-0 (pen)
46. Van Wolfswinkel 3-0
62. Maguire 4-0
Referee: Velasco Carballo (Spa)
Yellow cards FC Utrecht: Mertens, Silberbauer, Nesu
Spectators: 18,000
Line-up FC Utrecht: Vorm, Cornelisse, Schut, Wuytens, Nesu, Asare (Maguire/53), Silberbauer, Lensky, Duplan, Van Wolfswinkel (Oar/90), Mertens (Nijholt/75)
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