Anderlecht end Slavia hopes

RSC Anderlecht confidently booked their place in the UEFA Champions League group stage with a fine away victory to clinch their third-round qualifying tie against SK Slavia Praha.

Late strikes
Late goals from Serhat Akin and the in-form Mbo Mpenza sealed a comfortable victory on the night for the Belgian outfit, who were defending a 2-1 lead from the first leg in Brussels.

Resolute defence
Slavia had plenty of possession in the early stages but found it hard to create chances against the well-organised and resolute Anderlecht defence. But the Czech team were so intent on attack that, as the game wore on, they looked more and more vulnerable on the counterattack while they continued to find it hard to breach the Belgian side's defence.

Serhat chances
Serhat was the liveliest player on the pitch and could have scored twice in the first half, first when he failed to connect with a Bart Goor cross and then when he shot wide. The nearest Slavia came to scoring in the first half was Patrik Gedeon's shot which almost found the target.

Anderlecht pressure
The impressive Serhat almost opened the scoring in the opening minutes of the second half but watched his shot from a Goor cross go just wide of the Slavia post as Anderlecht showed renewed intent. At the other end Martin Latka could have put Slavia ahead on the night had his head made contact with a Lukáš Jarolím cross.

Serhat strike
But the Belgian side's greater menace overall was rewarded after 72 minutes with the goal that effectively sealed victory. Swedish international Christian Wilhelmsson was the creator with a defence-splitting pass which found Serhat and he rifled the ball past Matúš Kozácik with his left foot.

Mpenza clincher
Serhat underlined an excellent individual performance by then creating the second goal for Mpenza after 84 minutes. The Turkish international worked the ball to Mpenza and his precise finish just inside the far post ensured there would be no comeback for the Czech team.

Slavia woe
Slavia miss out at the qualifying stages for the fifth time and have to settle for a UEFA Cup first round place while Anderlecht take their by now customary place in Thursday's group stage draw in Monaco.