Elfsborg stalemate denies Debrecen
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Article summary
IF Elfsborg 0-0 Debreceni VSC (agg: 1-0) The Swedish champions rode their luck at times but preserved their advantage over the Hungarian team.
Article body
Swedish champions IF Elfsborg reached the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round by preserving their first-leg advantage in a close contest at home to Debreceni VSC.
Debrecen denied
Leading through Daniel Mobaeck's solitary strike in Hungary last week, Elfsborg survived two scares to draw 0-0 at the Borås Arena: Debrecen's Dorge Rostand Kouemaha had a first-half goal disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper, before Zsombor Kerekes shot against the post in the closing minutes of the match.
Near misses
The hosts, who were able to field Anders Svensson and Mathias Svensson despite injury concerns, had looked untroubled until the 41st minute when Kouemaha won an aerial challenge with Elfsborg keeper Johan Wiland and put the ball into the net. However, the effort was ruled out for a push on Wiland, and Debrecen found themselves on the back foot in the second half. Stefan Ishizaki and Mathias Svensson both wasted chances before opportunity finally knocked for the Hungarian side at the end of the game, with Kerekes's strike centimetres away from taking the tie into extra time. Elfsborg's reward is a third qualifying round meeting with Valencia CF.
