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Spirited United stroll along path of least resistance
By Henry Winter in Kosice | |
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FC Kosice (0) 0 Man Utd (1) 3 DISCIPLINED and determined, Manchester United made the ideal start to their Champions' League campaign last night, defeating Slovakia's modest best and registering three goals and no bookings in the Lok Stadium. United used a Christmas tree formation to good effect. Alex Ferguson's tactics worked a treat, his players worked like Trojans and the team nature of this routine success was encapsulated by the identities of the first two goalscorers. Two defenders, Denis Irwin and Henning Berg, reflected the reality that Ferguson expects each of his footballers to contribute to attack and defence. Even Ferguson's split-attack forward line helped out with the harrying of Kosice. Andy Cole, who ran hungrily all night, found real reward - and compensation for earlier profligacy - with a late finish. United's next Group B examination comes on Oct 1 when Juventus, the favourites who conquered Feyenoord last night, visit Old Trafford. The Italians overcame the cream of England twice last season but United will take confidence and their improving form over the two games, particularly in the second half of the second meeting. And Ryan Giggs, a vibrant figure during that promising period, should be back. Ferguson reacted to Giggs' absence here by lining up with Paul Scholes and Karel Poborsky operating behind Cole, the epitome of front-running movement and industry. This 4-3-2-1 tactic, an approach occasionally favoured by Terry Venables, placed great emphasis on the full-backs supplying width. Gary Neville continually sought openings down the right while Irwin, whose experience saw him chosen ahead of Philip Neville, also ventured forth cleverly. Perhaps inevitably, given the absence of Giggs and the need to adjust to a new shape, United took time to find their stride and rhythm. Worryingly, the visitors' defence looked slightly vulnerable, particularly when the bullish Jozef Kozlej began turning Gary Pallister and Berg. Kosice's target man confirmed his local-hero reputation after 10 minutes, sliding in ahead of Berg to bring a low save from Peter Schmeichel. The Slovakian supporters, whose only exposure to English opposition was an InterToto Cup meeting with Wimbledon, voiced their approval and waved their banners, a bizarre collection including Hooligans, Girls, Allez Kosice and even a Diana Forever. But United are well-versed in the art of quietening away crowds. As the forwards ran busily in space-creating dashes, Ferguson's midfield trio of Roy Keane, Nicky Butt and David Beckham began holding on to the ball, changing the game's pace to suit them. The build-ups began. Smart thinking and quick actions by Cole and Keane conjured a headed opportunity for Scholes, which the England international misjudged, a surprising aberration given his recent successes. No matter. Kosice, novices at this level, were clearly there for the taking. On the half-hour, Scholes threaded a neat pass down the inside-left channel towards Cole. Ignoring the close attentions of his marker, United's lone striker turned and rewarded Irwin's overlapping run with another accurate delivery. The angle seemed so tight but Irwin kept his composure, steadied his aim and slipped the ball past Ladislav Molnar. United survived a scare early in the second half when the Swedish referee, Leif Sundell, missed Pallister's shirt-pulling offence on Albert Rusnak as the half-time substitute raced menacingly across the penalty area. With Keane proving an effective bulwark in front of the back-four, United were largely secure. Poborsky, allowed time and space as the game opened up, became increasingly involved and delivered a 50th-minute cross which Scholes turned against a post. A straightforward tap-in awaited Cole but, with the ball rising, he shot wide. Cole, set up by Poborsky and Beckham, was on target five minutes later, denied only by a stretching save from Molnar. United were getting closer, sensing the weaknesses in Kosice's defence. On the hour, Ferguson's disciplined side gained their second goal. Beckham's free-kick from the right curled awkwardly in front of Molnar, who fumbled under pressure from Cole. Berg was left with a routine finish from close range. Two minutes from time Cole added a fine third, placing his shot well from 15 yards. FC Kosice (0) 0 Man Utd (1) 3 Berg 60, Cole 88, Irwin 29. FC Kosice: Molnar, Spilar, Telek, Kozak, Janocko, Lubarskij (Rusnak 46), Kozlej (Faktor 76), Semenik, Zvara, Sovic, Kral. Subs Not Used: Benko, Bochnovic, Lapsansky, Cvirk, Majoros. Man Utd: Schmeichel, G. Neville, Irwin, Pallister, Beckham (McClair 75), Butt, Cole, Poborsky, Keane, Scholes, Berg. Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, Sheringham, P. Neville, Clegg, Thornley, Mulryne. Ref: L Sundell (Sweden). _______________________________________________________________ Manchester United ease past Kosice 3-0 By Jan Krcmar KOSICE, Slovakia, Sept 17 (Reuter) - Manchester United eased past European Champions' League newcomers FC Kosice 3-0 in their opening Group B match on Wednesday. Denis Irwin, Henning Berg and Andy Cole scored for United to deflate the home side's dreams of an upset victory. "This was a good result for us and a good start in the competition," said United manager Alex Ferguson. "We played a very strong first half and showed some good passing." "This was a cruel result for us," said Jan Bodnar. Only hours before the game, Bodnar had been called in to replace veteran Kosice manager Jan Kozak who resigned for "health reasons". "We started out with too much respect and that led us to make mistakes that we do not make even in the easiest league matches," Bodnar said. Kosice started ambitiously and unnerved the United defence early on but United quickly tightened up and took command. In the 30th minute United pressure paid off. Left back Irwin found a hole in the defence, took a pass on the left of the penalty area from striker Cole and slid the ball under the body of goalkeeper Ladislav Molnar. Kosice pressed hard at the start of the second half but United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel was rarely tested, and it was no surprise when Berg put United 2-0 up after 61 minutes. A David Beckham free-kick from the right landed at the feet of the Norwegian who reacted more quickly than a static Kosice defence. A mistake by Molnar in the 88th minute allowed Cole to make up for two earlier wasted opportunities, one in front of an open goal. Cole, who had been a doubtful starter due to injury, hit a sweet right-footer past Molnar to wrap up a satisfying victory for Ferguson. "Cole finally got his chance and got the third goal which has given him a good boost," Ferguson said. "In the second half Kosice were better and Karel Poborsky got the job of stopping the attack which he did. The second goal, I think, definitely killed them." |
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