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CL Report: Bayern Close The Door On Feyenoord
Bayern Munich overcame the challenge of Feyenoord and booked their place in the next phase with a 3-1 win at the Olympiastadion in Munich. The German giants go top of Group H on goal difference from Sparta Praha who drew 2-2 with a brave Spartak Moscow.
After a spirited opening that saw Shinji Ono rattle the bar with a flukish cross-shot, Bayern were handed control on 12 when Samuel Kuffour's header was deflected in by Feyenoord's CL debutant Ulrich Van Gobbel. Despite fielding a lone striker, the Rotterdammers scrambled back into the contest 12 minutes later when Swedish U-21 international Johan Elmander was set up by Ono and marauded through the Bayern defence to finish well past Kahn. But Bayern were soon back in the lead after a flowing and swift move was launched by Kahn's long clearance. Claudio Pizarro played Paulo Sergio through and he in turn distracted the defence and squared the ball allowing Roque Santa Cruz time to tap-in past Zoetebier.
After the break, Feyenoord tried to mount a threat but were unable to capitalise on their superior possession except for a stinging Bosvelt hit that kept Kahn wide awake. The European champions were set for the counter with Owen Hargreaves the vital link-man, raider and provider. He crafted several chances but missing Elber's finishing, Bayern had to wait until injury-time for the third. Pablo Thiam linked with Hasan Salihamidzic on the right and Santa Cruz latched onto his pass to calmly pick his spot beyond Zoetebier to complete his productive night's work
Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld commented afterwards: "I knew before the game a point would be enough to go through so I wasn't too worried going into the second half knowing 2-2 would be okay for us. We only did what we needed to do during the match and nothing more. It wasn't a great game but we got the result that mattered." Bayern now face Sparta Praha next week to decide the group's winner. Both teams have qualified leaving Feyenoord and Spartak to battle over the UEFA Cup spot.
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