Group C round-up

Dutch giants cruise through

Last Updated: December 15, 2011 9:05pm

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Tim Matavz: On target for PSV

Sky Bet

PSV Einhoven eased in the last 32 of the Europa League with an unbeaten record from the group stages.

Late goals from Stanislav Manolev and Tim Matavz ensured PSV finished their Europa League group stage campaign unbeaten with victory win over bottom side Rapid Bucharest.

PSV's fine form had already ensured them top spot in Group C ahead of the final round of matches while the visiting Romanians had no hope of catching second-placed Legia Warsaw.

But Bucharest still started brightly, forcing a succession of early corners and putting PSV under some pressure, with Antonio Marcelo, Orlando Engelaar and Jetro Willems among those forced to boot clear.

Marcelo missed PSV's first chance in the 16th minute when he met Zakaria Labyad's right-wing corner with a right-footed shot from six yards which flashed to the left of Dumitru Coman's post.

Pedestrian fashion

The second half continued in pedestrian fashion with Ritzmaier firing a 57th minute shot which was blocked in the box by Dan Alexa, then Vladimir Bozovic firing just wide for the visitors.

Rapid's substitute keeper Catalin Straton - who came on for the injured Coman in the first half - made a fine save with his legs to deny Jeremain Lens in the 74th minute as PSV belatedly began to threaten.

Moments later they finally made their breakthrough when Manolev fired home a crisp shot from 25 yards after being set up by a pass from Ola Toivonen on the right.

Three minutes later PSV extended their lead when Matavz was fed by Lens on the right side of the penalty area and had no difficulty directing the ball past Straton from six yards.

The visitors grabbed a consolation goal in injury time when Deac found Daniel Pancu in the box and the striker prodded the ball home from six yards.

Third

Hapoel Tel Aviv got the better of a dead-rubber against Legia Warsaw despite losing Gal Shish to a red card, ensuring they finished third in Europa League Group C.

Goals from Salim Toama and Avichai Yadin made sure of a victory for the hosts as they claimed a 2-0 win.

Shish was shown a second yellow card after 63 minutes with the score at 1-0, but Hapoel did not let that prevent their victory.