Bremen beat Vienna to stay group top at Europa League
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Austria Vienna's Aleksandar Dragovic (L) challenges Werder Bremen's Naldo during their Europa League soccer match in Bremen November 5, 2009. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo] |
German soccer powerhouse Werder Bremen stay top of Europa League group L after a 2-0 victory over Austria Vienna on Thursday at home.
Tim Borowski's goal in the 81st minute and forward Almeida's strike just minutes later were eventually the difference between the two sides in a game which was really marked by an outstanding performance by Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese.
Wiese was decisive in securing the points for the Bundesliga side who reached the final of the UEFA Cup last season.
Bremen started with aggressive attacks, but the guests fought back with more dangerous counterattacks.
After 17 minutes Acimovic found himself one on one with the Wiese, but the German keeper closed the angle and made things difficult for the Vienna captain. Not ten minutes later and Wiese was called into action again, this time making an even more impressive save from Sulimani's shot.
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Werder Bremen's Hugo Almeida celebrates after scoring against Austria Vienna during their Europa League soccer match in Bremen November 5, 2009.[Xinhua/Reuters Photo] |
Despite having fewer attempts, Karl Daxbacher's side arguably had the better of the chances in the opening 45 minutes. Werder had their reliable keeper Tim Wiese to thank for preventing a less flattering score line at half time.
After the interval, Jacek Bak's headed effort forced yet another solid save from the Bremen keeper, as the visitors pressed for the opening goal. The home side were more dominant in possession and controlled the game in the midfield, but failed to create anything to really challenge Safar's goal.
On 65 minutes Werder almost opened the scoring with their first real chance of the half. Oezil's through ball found Almeida whose shot was blocked by the substitute keeper Almer.
The opening goal finally came with ten minutes to play. Oezil's ball was flicked on by Rosenberg to find Borowski whose header beat Almer. Minutes later Bremen struck again, this time through Hugo Almeida whose unchallenged shot wrong footed the Vienna keeper.
Thanks to the home victory, Bremen extend their lead at the top of group L. Vienna drop to fourth after Nacional Funchal's late winner against second placed Athletic Bilbao.
On the same day, Hamburger SV, another German soccer powerhouse, saw a goalless draw against Celtic Glasgow in the Europa League encounter.
The draw left Hamburg at the second position in group C, Celtic Glasgow is out of competition with only 2 points.
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Hugo Almeida, Tim Borowski and Mesut Ozil (L-R) of Werder Bremen celebrate after scoring during the Europa League soccer match against Austria Vienna in Bremen November 5, 2009.[Xinhua/Reuters Photo] |
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