- Title: TURKEY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Scholes earns Man United 1-0 win over Besiktas
- Date: 16th September 2009
- Summary: ISTANBUL, TURKEY (SEPTEMBER 15, 2009) (REUTERS) BESIKTAS COACH MUSTAFA DENIZLI ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE CAMERAS (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) BESIKTAS COACH MUSTAFA DENIZLI SAYING: "We were aiming to score against a team which has individual physical strength in each player with unexpected positions. We achieved to hold them but unfortunately, we could not manage to play in
- Embargoed: 1st October 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Turkey
- Country: Turkey
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVACXDGMDXFTFQZYM30QL0RVS4EO
- Story Text: A late Paul Scholes header earned Manchester United a 1-0 win in their first Champions League Group B match against a stubborn Besiktas side on Tuesday (September 15).
The visitors dominated possession but struggled to create many clear scoring opportunities until Scholes pounced on a parry from Besiktas keeper Hakan Arikan in the 77th minute.
"We were aiming to score against a team which has individual physical strength in each player with unexpected positions. We achieved to hold them but unfortunately, we could not manage to play in the right way. Shortly, this is really sad for us to loose three points, but I want to congratulate my players," Besiktas coach Mustafa Denizli said.
Efforts from Besiktas's Serdar Ozkan in the first half and Mert Nobre in the second gave the passionate home supporters hope and the team's coach said he believed Besiktas deserved more from the game.
"When looking at Manchester United's attacks 50 percent were a result of our own mistakes," Besiktas' Mustafa Denizli told the news conference.
Michael Carrick went close for United when he fired in a powerful shot after 12 minutes to force a good save from Hakan but the Turkish side's defence restricted United's scoring opportunities for most of the match.
The second half started with more promise for the English champions, who went close in a goalmouth scramble before Hakan retrieved the ball but again United failed to translate their control into goals.
"This is the first game of the Champions League, and you always want to win your first game. I think we have done it reasonbly comfortable. There were few moments in the second half, a couple of attempts at goal for Besiktas. But in general I think our play wa fairly good. I think we were the better team, and the three points are the three points. We are happy with that," United manager Alex Ferguson told reporter after the match.
United striker Wayne Rooney made his frustration plain to see when he was substituted in the 64th minute, flinging his boots to the floor in the dug-out.
Winger Antonio Valencia shot wide of Hakan's right post from a narrow angle after 70 minutes and United finally capitalised seven minutes later when winger Nani fired in a crisp shot and former England midfielder Scholes headed in the rebound.
Fergusoon was full of praise for Ecuadorian international Valencia.
"I think we got a good start in the second half, almost scored in the first minute and that gave a bit on impetus. I thought Valencia is always a threat to them. He got to the goal line so many times we should have done better with that. Maybe the final ball, he could have done better. But you know he was always a threat and kept under the cosh the full back and I was really pleased with his performance," he said.
The United manager also paid compliment to the ability of his veteran midfielder Paul Scholes at finding the net when his team needed it most.
"It was a good goal because it was a good bit of football, and Nani was a bit unlucky not to score with his shot. But Paul Scholes being Paul Scholes, scores with a typical goal," Ferguson said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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