Date:16/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/16/stories/2008051655751700.htm

Sport - Football

Zenit St. Petersburg wins first European trophy

Manchester: Zenit St. Petersburg won its first European trophy in its first attempt on Wednesday, beating Rangers 2-0 in the UEFA Cup final. Igor Denisov scored the first goal in the 72nd minute after playing a one-two with Andrei Arshavin, cutting through the Rangers defence and beating goalkeeper Neil Alexander. Konstantin Zyryanov added the second in injury time, tapping the ball over the line off a pass from Fatih Tekke.

Denisov had escaped being penalised for a handball early in the second half.

This was also for Zenit coach Dick Advocaat’s first European title. The Dutchman, who had coached Rangers from 1998-2002, leapt in the air at the final whistle.

The Zenit players then put on gold shirts and gave their opponents a guard of honour, applauding as they filed past to collect their runner-up medals.

The well-travelled Advocaat has transformed Zenit since joining in 2006 — last season the Dutchman led Zenit to its first Russian league title, meaning the club will play in the Champions League next season.

Eventful first half

Zenit dominated the first half, having the greater possession and nearly all of the chances at the City of Manchester Stadium. Alexander stopped attacks from Zenit captain Anatoliy Tymoschuk, Radek Sirl, Zyryanov and Alexander Anyukov while Arshavin sent a shot into the side netting and Viktor Fayzulin headed over the bar.

Rangers played with more energy in the second period, enjoying its best chances of the match in the 54th when Jean-Claude Darcheville had a shot pushed away by goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev and Barry Ferguson hit the post with the rebound.

That sparked Rangers into action and Whittaker had a shot deflected wide in the 64th.

In the subsequent counter-attack, Arshavin had a shot headed off the line by Sasa Papac after he had gotten around Alexander, who had run out of the box in an attempt to clear.

Zyryanov hit the post in the 75th before Rangers sent on striker Nacho Novo for Papac.

With 10 minutes remaining, Rangers threw on attacking midfielder Lee McCulloch — then a third striker in Kris Boyd in the 87th, but the Scottish team couldn’t force the match into extra-time. — AP