Dinamo power to big win
Thursday, 4 November 2004
By Elvir Islamovic at Maksimir stadium
[1] NK Dinamo Zagreb made a stunning start to their UEFA Cup Group G campaign with a comprehensive 6-1 win at home to Belgian club KSK Beveren.
Dinamo intent
[2] Beveren were coming off a 5-1 home defeat by VfB Stuttgart on Matchday 1, and they will need now to regroup for their matches with SL Benfica and SC Heerenveen if they are to claim one of the three available places in the round of 32. Dinamo, though, have signalled their intent after storming to a 4-0 lead at half-time.
Headed goals
[3] Striker Eduardo Da Silva, who has scored four times in Dinamo's last two Croatian league games, headed the first goal on 18 minutes after a Dario Zahora corner. Three minutes later, Niko Kranjcar sent in a free-kick from 30 metres out and Andre Mijatovic was on hand to direct the ball in to double the lead.
Lead increases
[4] A third goal seemed inevitable, and it was made by Danijel Pranjic who ran down the left and crossed for Zahora to head in. The game was only 41 minutes old when Zahora made it 4-0, applying his head to a Da Silva centre from the left.
Beveren consolation
[5] Ten minutes into the second half, Da Silva made it five as he passed to Kranjcar, whose effort deflected in for the first non-headed goal of the night. Victory was assured, but nine minutes from time Beveren did pull one back when teenager Björn Vleminckx headed in.
Scoring complete
[6] Suitably stirred, Dinamo increased their advantage to 6-1 six minutes later as Kranjcar found substitute Edin Mujcin, whose left-footed shot eluded Barry. Dinamo's campaign continues at Benfica on 25 November, a week before the Portuguese team visit Belgium.