MX23RW : Tuesday, December 3 17:24:13| >> :600:464656:464656:
[monks data]
Dinamo Zagreb
Champions League | Playoff Round
Aug 25, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 

4-1

Arbi Hilal Soudani (9', 80'), Hodzic (15'), Taravel (55')
Santos (48')
FT(HT: 2-1)

Ten-man Dinamo Zagreb march into Champions League group stages

Dinamo Zagreb progress into the Champions League group stages with a 6-2 aggregate win over Skenderbeu Korce.

Ten-man Dinamo Zagreb edged out Albanian outfit Skenderbeu Korce 4-1 on the night to record a 6-2 aggregate victory and progress into the group stages of the Champions League.

Armin Hodzic of Dinamo Zagreb celebrates scoring their second goal during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Round Play Off Second Leg match between Dinamo Zagreb and FC Skenderbeu at Maksimir stadium in Zagreb, Croatia on Tuesday, August 25, 2015© Getty Images

Dinamo kicked off what proved a fast and furious opening quarter of the clash from both sides by drawing first blood after just nine minutes in the Croatian capital.

Josip Pivaric, whose added-time winner last week handed tonight's hosts a 2-1 first-leg lead, turned provider by floating a cross into the box and El Arbi Hillel Soudani's thumping header left Orges Shehi with no chance.

The lead lasted less than a minute, however, as Esquerdinha threw the Albanian minnows - chasing a first-ever group stage berth - a lifeline by blasting home an equaliser from long range.

Esquerdinha of KF Skenderbeu celebrates scoring their first goal during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Round Play Off Second Leg match between Dinamo Zagreb and FC Skenderbeu at Maksimir stadium on August 25, 2015© Getty Images

Unperturbed, Skenderbeu continued on in the same vein and Sabien Lilaj almost levelled up on the night, but his long-range shot whistled just wide of the post before the break.

With a 4-2 aggregate lead, Zagreb seemed to be cruising, but their task was made slightly more treacherous after going down to 10 men early in the second half when Goncalo Santos picked up a second yellow card.

The dismissal only served to unite Zoran Mamic's side who, despite their numerical disadvantage, added a third through Jeremy Taravel on 55 minutes to effectively secure their passage.

Having opened the scoring, Soudani then rounded it off on 80 minutes as the Croatians return among Europe's elite for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

ID:241807: cacheID:241807:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4855:
Written by
Shane Callaghan
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Skenderbeu's Bledi Shkembi (R) and teammates celebrate after the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League playoff football match between KF Skenderbeu and Dinamo Zagreb at the Elbansan Arena in Elbasan, Albania on August 19, 2015
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Group stage beckons for Dinamo Zagreb
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Browns
32-41
Broncos
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool550015
2Inter Milan541013
3Barcelona540112
4Dortmund540112
5Atalanta532011
6Arsenal531110
7Sporting Lisbon531110
8B. Leverkusen531110
9Brest531110
10Aston Villa531110
11Monaco531110
12Lille531110
13Bayern53029
14Benfica53029
15AC Milan53029
16Atletico53029
17Juventus52218
18Man City52218
19PSV52218
20Celtic52218
21Brugge52127
22Feyenoord52127
23Dinamo Zagreb52127
24Real Madrid52036
25Stuttgart51134
26Sparta Prague51134
27PSG51134
28Shakhtar51134
29Sturm Graz51043
30Girona51043
31Red Star51043
32Salzburg51043
33Bologna50141
34RB Leipzig50050
35Slovan Bratislava50050
36Young Boys50050


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!