Midtjylland Vs Rijeka: Danish Side Take Big Step Towards Europe
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| Cho Gue-sung ends goal drought as Midtjylland beat Rijeka |
Dominant FC Midtjylland beat Rijeka 2-0 to edge closer to Conference League.
Midtjylland in control after 2-0 win over Rijeka in Conference League playoff...
FC Midtjylland moved to the brink of Conference League qualification with a comfortable 2-0 win over Croatian side Rijeka, leaving them firmly in control ahead of next week’s playoff return leg.
The Danish side are now closing in on a place in the Conference League league phase. A 2-0 home win over Rijeka, who finished fourth in Croatia last season to qualify, has put them in a strong position before the second leg.
On Thursday the hosts controlled much of the first half. Midtjylland had the physical edge and at times forced Rijeka deep into their own territory.
Right-winger Dario Osorio was in excellent form and put himself in the shop window for any scouts in attendance. Franculino also delivered when it mattered.
In the 20th minute following a long throw, Osorio found Franculino in the box. Rather than shoot, he chipped delicately to the back post where Cho Gue-sung rose to head home. It put Midtjylland 1-0 up and was the South Korean’s first goal since his header against Nottingham Forest in March.
In that period, the 28-year-old striker featured 17 times and played more than 1,100 minutes for FC Midtjylland without scoring. Magnus Jensen and Rasmus Nissen Kristensen both went close with headers, while Rijeka threatened whenever Midtjylland dropped off.
Midtjylland made it 2-0 early in the second half through substitutes Sofus Johannesen and Stanley Iheanacho, who came on for Franculino and Valdemar Byskov.
Nigerian forward Stanley Iheanacho burst into space and almost beat the Rijeka keeper with a dribble, but the ball got away from him. Johannesen reacted quickest to bundle it home.
Late substitutes Kjell Watjen and Friday Etim both had chances to make it 3-0, but Midtjylland were content with a composed 2-0 win after a strong display.
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