The Yellow Submarine grabbed a second comprehensive win over FC Twente to berth a place into the Europa League semi finals. The Dutch, who had lost 1-5 in the first leg, opened the score through Bajrami in the first half, only to be left two goals behind within the second part. Two penalties and a late superb finish brought Villarreal a 3-1 victory over the former Dutch champions who had made a good figure in the Champions League group stage.
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Hardly did the game start that Michel Preud’homme’s were besieging Spaniards’ goal. Douglas picked Bajrami outside the box, but striker’s shot from range was denied by keeper Lopez. The 31st minute found the Dutch bringing the first lead through Bajrami following a tremendous action from left. Janssen beat the offside trap to fire a cross in front of the net Bajrami put it home from close range. Catala was the first to concede a yellow card for kicking the ball away early in the 37th minute.
Bajrami could have made it even 2-0 with two minutes left had he controlled the ball properly. The first half went 1-0 to the Dutch but they were condemned to score three more without conceding any. Leugers got his first yellow in the 53rd minute following a late tackle. Twente got into more difficulty six minutes later after Tiendalli was red carded for a foul on Mubarak inside the box. Villarreal were awarded penalty as Rossi converted for 6-2 on aggregate.
The 60th minute brought a couple of changes, one a-side. Landzaat replaced Brama for Twente while Valero departed for Cani on the other side. Villarreal missed a great chance in the 65th minute after Musacchio headed a corner from right straight to keeper Boschker. Another couple of changes brought Twente’s John in for Collins and Perez for Rossi. Against all expectations, Villarreal were the ones to dominate almost the entire game.
Two minutes after being introduced, Perez missed a great chance through a powerful shot in what should have been Spaniards’ first lead. Villarreal ruined the Dutch in the last three minutes, scoring two precious goals through Ruben and Cani. Buysse took down Perez as Ruben converted past Boschker. Finally, the same Ruben played unmarked Cani ten yards out whose half-volley reached the top corner to propel the Submarine through.
Villarreal will next play FC Porto. The first leg takes place on April 28 at the Estadio do Dragaon, while the second meeting is scheduled to take place on May 5 at El Madrigal. Porto knocked Spartak Moscow 10-3 on aggregate to become the title favorite. The second semi final brings face to face Benfica and Sporting Braga who follow the same semi final schedule.
FC Twente – Boschker; Buysse, Onyewu, Douglas, Tiendalli; Leugers, Janssen, Brama; Bajrami, Ruiz, Janko. Reserves: P. Wisgerhof, D. Landzaat, O. John, N. Chadli, W. de Vogt, A. Bruggink, A. Bannink.
Villarreal CF – Lopez; Mario, Musacchio, Marchena, Catala; Valero, Matilla, Bruno, Wakaso; Ruben, Rossi. Reserves: Kiko, Cicinho, H. Perez, J. Capdevila, Juan Carlos, J. Oriol, Cani
