Djurdjević goal puts Lech in dreamland

Ivan Djurdjević scored the only goal of the game to enable KKS Lech Poznań to squeeze into the last 32 of the UEFA Cup with a victory at Feyenoord.

Winning through
Lech began the evening fourth in Group H and knowing anything short of a win would end their campaign as they trailed RC Deportivo La Coruña and AS Nancy-Lorraine, who met in Spain, by two points. But with Deportivo prevailing, also by a solitary strike, Djurdjević's well-placed shot after 27 minutes earned his club the third and final knockout-stage berth from the group. They finished a point clear of Nancy, and seven adrift of pool winners PFC CSKA Moskva. The defeat for Feyenoord, however, completed a miserable campaign for the Dutch team comprising four successive losses – their worst-ever run in European competition.

Low blow
The Rotterdam side's domestic form had been equally poor – they sit 12th in the Eredivisie – prompting Roy Makaay to call for a return to winning ways. The former Netherlands forward led from the front early on, forcing a block from Rafał Murawski before heading straight at goalkeeper Ivan Turina after finding space in the area. Lech's first effort was rather longer in coming, a Robert Lewandowski strike from distance that was easily gathered by Henk Timmer, yet within minutes the visitors were ahead. Semir Stilić pulled the ball back from the byline into the centre of the box where Djurdjević was perfectly placed to slide his shot low into the bottom corner.

Contrasting fortunes
With qualification tantalisingly close, Franciszek Smuda's men began to take the game to their hosts. Lewandowski headed wide under pressure while Hernán Rengifo threatened twice with efforts from 18 metres. Lewandowski nearly heaped more pressure on home coach Gertjan Verbeek shortly after the interval, yet eventually Feyenoord built up a head of steam. After 79 minutes, Luigi Bruins's free-kick found André Bahia whose goalbound header was tipped over the crossbar by keeper Turina. The same duo combined with four minutes remaining, but again Turina was sufficiently well-positioned to turn Bahia's header around the post. While there would be no end to Feyenoord's frustration, Lech moved into Friday's Round of 32 draw with the promise of at least another two matches in the competition.