The story appears on

Page B8

September 22, 2011

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

HomeSportsSoccer

Villarreal outplays Mallorca for 1st win

VILLARREAL scored in each half to beat Mallorca 2-0 on Tuesday for its first victory of the Spanish league season.

Giuseppe Rossi scored Villarreal's opener at El Madrigal stadium when he slotted under goalkeeper Dudu Aouate in the eighth minute.

Mallorca struggled to finish off its scoring opportunities, and Nilmar added Villarreal's second in the 52nd when he received Borja Valero's perfectly placed pass, rounded Aouate in one touch and rolled the ball home.

Previously, Villarreal had only earned one point from a possible nine and been held scoreless in three of its last four games, including its loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

"While it is true that sometimes a victory can help a team change and find its winning form, this win was just one step," Villarreal coach Juan Carlos Garrido said. "It was an important win, but we need to continue growing and improving with many more games ahead."

Mallorca has lost three straight games and only scored one goal this season. That goal was netted by now Villarreal midfielder Jonathan de Guzman, who faced his old team for the first time.

More chances

Also, Sevilla drew 0-0 at Osasuna, and Real Sociedad edged Granada 1-0.

Anxious to improve after Saturday's 0-8 drubbing by Barcelona, Osasuna created more chances in the early stages in Pamplona with only some good goalkeeping by Sevilla's Javi Varas keeping the hosts from scoring.

After Sevilla responded through the pace of Spain winger Jesus Navas, Osasuna regained control of the game toward the end. But Varas stepped up again in the 64th to block Juan "Nino" Martinez's shot from inside in the area, and Belgian forward Roland Lamah sent his volley into the side netting in the 88th.

"We have got two draws away from home at grounds that are not at all easy ones," said coach Marcelino Garcia, whose Sevilla is one point behind leader Valencia and Real Betis. "Eight points is a good haul and at this pace we will achieve our objectives."



 

Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

娌叕缃戝畨澶 31010602000204鍙

Email this to your friend