Greg . 1 day ago

FC Utrecht complete job against stale Sheriff Tiraspol in Europa League second leg

FC Utrecht confidently reserved their spot in the third round of the UEFA Europa League qualifying phase after following up their 3-1 away win with a comfortable 4-1 home win over the Moldovan outfit.

After their 3-1 win in Moldova, FC Utrecht manager Ron Jans changed his side in one place, handing Miliano Jonathans the start over Jamaican-British talent Adrian Blake.

A rather tame first half was broken open by Victor Jensen, who also scored Utrecht's first goal last week, after the Dane calmly slotted the ball past Ivan Dyulgerov in the 27th minute.

The home side opened the second half with much more attacking intent and doubled their lead a minute in, slotting home their third corner in two games when Siebe Horemans smartly led the ball into the far corner.

Souffian El Karouani's corner created a world of danger again ten minutes later, and this time it was captain Nick Viergever - who also scored last week - who put his side up 3-0 after Horemans lengthened the ball in Sheriff's box.

Chances for El Karouani and Jensen were pursued by Sheriff's only attacking emphasize of the match: El Karouani was not paying attention and lost the ball near FC Utrecht's box, allowing Elijah Olaniyi Odede to tap in a low cross from Veaceslav Cozma.

The absolute emphasize of the night pursued on the verge of full-time, when Souffian El Karouani unleashed a cannonball into Dyulgerov's top-right corner and acquired his side a convincing 4-1 win.

FC Utrecht brushed Sheriff Tiraspol aside with an aggregate score of 7-2 and will meet Swiss outfit Servette in the third qualifying round.

Czech outfit Viktoria Plzen beat Swiss side Servette in two legs, making up for a 1-0 home loss with a 3-1 away win on Wednesday, meaning Servette were demoted to the Europa League qualifying phase.

FC Utrecht will meet Servette on August 7th and 14th, with Utrecht playing away in Switzerland first.