Maribor catch Villarreal cold

NK Maribor coach Marijan Pušnik praised his side's work ethic after the Slovenian club pulled off the result of the weekend - a 2-1 victory at Villarreal CF in the UEFA Intertoto Cup third round.

'Great level'
Villarreal's previous European tie at El Madrigal had been against Arsenal FC in April, but three months on they were unable to recapture the form that had taken them to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. "I have to give all the credit to the players," Pušnik said. "They played at a great level. What made me happy as a coach was that they ran more than their opponents did. With the help of our fans at Ljudski Vrt, I expect a good match next weekend. I hope we will qualify."

Mihelič winner
Although they were without Argentinian FIFA World Cup stars Juan Román Riquelme and Juan Pablo Sorín, Villarreal fielded a strong lineup including debutants Robert Pirès and Nihat Kahveci. They lacked fluency, though, and fell behind to a Milan Rakič free-kick. Things got worse for the hosts when defender Josemi was sent off two minutes into the second half, and though Diego Forlán levelled matters, Rene Mihelič's late strike put the visitors in control and in with an excellent chance of reaching the UEFA Cup second qualifying round.

'Improve'
Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini admitted his team have a fight on their hands to overcome the seven-times Slovenian champions, who in 1999 became their country's only representative to date in the UEFA Champions League group stage. "I expected a difficult match because Maribor were highly motivated and play a fast game, but I think we helped determine the outcome," he said. "We thought we could win with no real effort, but when we were down to ten men we realised we would have to give all we had. Now we will have to improve."