Dindane shines against Osasuna

Aruna Dindane scored one goal and had a hand in another as RC Lens opened their UEFA Cup Group D account with a 3-1 win against CA Osasuna.

Dindane danger
The in-form Ivory Coast striker, Ligue 1's top scorer with seven goals, broke the deadlock early on and was brought down in the penalty area to set up Daniel Cousin to convert the second after Valdo had recovered the deficit for the Pamplona-based side. Abdoulrazak Boukari then scored late on to seal a fine opening result for the French club.

Unstoppable shot
The first half was not a classic, with neither team able to make the breakthrough or even carve out workable chances. Indeed, Dindane opened the scoring with the first real opportunity of the match after 15 minutes, drilling an unstoppable shot past Osasuna goalkeeper Juan Elía Vallejo from 12 metres.

Unhappy homecoming
The remainder of the half was uneventful, but Osasuna got back on terms just a minute after the break when Valdo beat Charles Itandje in the Lens goal with a low, right-footed effort. Meanwhile, on his return to the club where he started his career, midfielder Ludovic Delporte was one of five Osasuna players to be booked.

Calm finish
Indiscipline proved the Spanish side's undoing as substitute Javier Flaño was adjudged to have fouled Dindane in the box after 68 minutes and Cousin finished calmly from the spot. Boukari then iced the cake with a goal eight minutes from time to leave Osasuna with only one point from their two games to date.