Fenerbahçe make amends for Molde defeat
Thursday, November 26, 2015
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Molde 0-2 Fenerbahçe
Fernandão and Ozan Tufan scored, but a win was not quite enough for the Yellow Canaries to confirm their place in the round of 32.
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- Molde lose for first time in Group A, Fenerbahçe avenge matchday one defeat
- Sander Svendsen strikes crossbar in first half for Norwegian side
- Fernandão breaks deadlock with powerful header
- Ozan Tufan hits second; Knut Olav Rindarøy dismissed late on
- Final Group A games: Fenerbahçe v Celtic, Ajax v Molde (10 December)
Fenerbahçe exacted some revenge upon deposed Norwegian champions Molde in UEFA Europa League Group A, but a late Ajax goal at Celtic means the Turkish side will have to wait until matchday six to discover whether they will reach the round of 32
Amid torrential rain in Norway, Molde edged the first half in terms of chances – five on target to Fenerbahçe's three – the best of them a long-range strike from 18-year-old forward Sander Svendsen which crashed into the Yellow Canaries' crossbar.
However, Fenerbahçe had a point to prove after their 3-1 home loss to Molde on matchday one and took the lead on 68 minutes, Fernandão muscling in at the far post to head Alper Potuk's ball from the left past Ethan Horvath. Typically energetic, Mohamed Elyounoussi spearheaded Molde's rescue mission, Fabiano getting down low to push away his shot after the 21-year-old spun his way into a dangerous position.
There was to be no equaliser, though, and Fenerbahçe extended their advantage after a powerful forward thrust. Horvath saved at the feet of Fernandão, but the ball squirmed away, inviting Ozan Tufan to place it into the unguarded net. Volkan Şen also hit the post, before the hosts' Knut Olav Rindarøy was dismissed in added time. Molde are already qualified for the knockout phase, yet must avoid defeat at Ajax next time out to be sure of topping the section.
