Schalke cruise through

FC Schalke 04 eased through to the next round of the UEFA Cup when they recorded a comfortable home victory against Belarussian visitors FC Gomel.

Three-goal cushion
With a three-goal cushion from the away leg a fortnight ago, Frank Neubarth gave some of Schalke's up-and-coming performers - Filip Trojan, Mike Hanke and Annibal Matellan - a chance to shine. But it was one of Schalke's more experienced squad members, former Belgian international Marc Wilmots, who extended the hosts' aggregate lead in the tenth minute when he dived well to head in a cross from Niels Oude-Kamphuis.

Neat combinations
Deflated by the goal, Gomel were only able to break into the Schalke half on rare occasions and often found themselves chasing helplessly for the ball as Schalke kept possession. That was typified by a clever move involving Sven Kmetch and Michael Büskens that finished with Kmetch volleying high over the crossbar.

Chances missed
Svend Vermant and Gerald Asamoah also had chances to get on the scoreboard but failed to take them and Gomel nearly drew level when Schalke keeper Frank Rost brilliantly parried Henadzi Blitzniuk's shot.

Hanke on target
Normal service resumed after the break and, with Wilmots in inspiring form in the Schalke midfield, Gomel found themselves back-pedalling. They were breached again on 63 minutes when Wilmots flicked the ball for Hanke to make it two.

Despairing Dousmanov
Four minutes later, Kmetch twisted and turned his way past three defenders before finishing off with a clinical shot past the despairing Viatcheslav Dousmanov. Three became four on 70 minutes when Hanke was quick to pounce after Dousmanov had blocked a shot from Wilmots.