Three for Kramarić as Rijeka floor Feyenoord
Thursday, October 23, 2014
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HNK Rijeka 3-1 Feyenoord
Andrej Kramarić was the hero for the home side, scoring a hat-trick as the two-time UEFA Cup winners came to grief in Group G.
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• Rijeka off bottom of Group G and above Feyenoord
• Andrej Kramarić treble takes tally to 20 in 19 games
• Stunning Jens Toornstra free-kick levels for Feyenoord
• Feyenoord have not won in ten European away matches
• Next games: Feyenoord v Rijeka (6 November)
Andrej Kramarić scored a hat-trick as HNK Rijeka recorded their first UEFA Europa League Group G victory, 3-1 against two-time UEFA Cup winners Feyenoord.
The 23-year-old forward struck in the 63rd, 71st and 76th minutes as the Croatian team built on a 2-2 draw with last season's UEFA Europa League winners Sevilla FC last time out.
Vedran Jugović fired into the side netting early on before Feyenoord's Elvis Manu had a chance at the other end with an effort which was well saved by Ivan Vargić. Manu was unlucky not to make the breakthrough when he saw his goal-bound shot cleared off the line.
Ivan Tomečak and Anas Sharbini had long-range attempts dealt with by Feyenoord keeper Kenneth Vermeer just past the half-hour, but Rijeka really should have taken the lead five minutes before half-time. Midfielder Moisés flicked on a square pass inside the box to Kramarić but Vermeer denied him from six yards.
Feyenoord started the second half strongly, with Jens Toornstra forcing Vargić into a decent stop, before Manu drove narrowly over. It was Rijeka, though, who opened the scoring when Kramarić finished from close range from Marin Leovac's cross after 63 minutes. However, the advantage lasted a mere three minutes as Feyenoord equalised through Toornstra, who curled an unstoppable free-kick past Vargić.
Moments later, Rijeka regained the initiative through Kramarić again when the striker raced onto a ball forward before lifting over Vermeer. They then put further daylight between themselves and Feyenoord as Kramarić completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after he was fouled just inside the area.
Matthew Steenvoorden hit the crossbar as Feyenoord kept going but the hosts held on comfortably for their first win in Group G.
