Oruma confirms Servette superiority

A goal in each game by Wilson Oruma helped Servette FC to a 1-1 second-leg draw, and a 2-1 aggregate success, against SK Slavia Praha in the UEFA Cup first round.

Two-goal hero
The striker, whose 75th-minute strike in Switzerland had given his side a slender advantage going into the return at the Strahov stadium, was on target again to set up a comfortable victory achieved despite the late sending-off of midfielder Claiton Alberto.

Flicked header
The Swiss dominated the game from the start and almost went ahead after five minutes when Yves Miéville’s flicked header from a corner cannoned off the post.

On a high
Full of confidence after going top of Swiss Nationalliga A at the weekend, Servette continued to exert all the early pressure and it was no surprise when Wilson Oruma put them ahead after 13 minutes. The Nigerian connected sweetly with Goran Obradovic’s left-wing cross and his powerful low drive from the edge area found the bottom corner.

Smart save
With a two-goal cushion, Servette eased off as the half went on, but the closest the home side came before the interval was a shot on the turn by Ludek Zelenka which brought a smart save from Eric Pédat.

Slavia chances
Slavia came out with more purpose in the second half and twice Richard Dostálek headed over from close range. Zelenka also hit the foot of the post with a sliding effort.

Dill denied
But the Swiss side continued to look dangerous on the break and their forward Dill squandered two glorious opportunities to make the game safe. On both occasions, he was thwarted by home goalkeeper Michal Václavík in one-on-one situations.

Ray of hope
Slavia were given a ray of hope when Claiton was sent off midway through the half for two bookings in the space of two minutes, but they were unable to breach the Servette rearguard until the 89th minute. Adam Petrouš fired in a right-foot volley from Lumír Sedlácek's enticing cross.

Goal-line stop
In the final minute, Slavia went close to scoring a second following a goalmouth scramble, but Thierno Bah was on hand to clear off the line.