Belfast Challenge Tournament

23rd July 99

Glentoran 0 Feyenoord 2

Glens Go Down Fighting

Irish League champions Glentoran produced a spirited performance against the Dutch aces Feyenoord last night, but class finally told at Windsor Park in the second match of the Carlsberg Belfast Challenge tournament. Glens boss Roy Coyle can be proud of his men who gave the Dutch champions quite a scare at times. As for Leo Beenhaker's outfit they will have to improve if they are to emerge victorious in this event with Liverpool awaiting them today. The Anfield management team of Gerard Houllier and Phil Thompson were in the Windsor directors box watching the action and with the undoubted ability in their side they will feel they will have the beating of the Dutch if they can display similar character to that shown by the Oval men. In the first half the Glens looked every bit as dangerous as their illustrious opponents with Stuart Elliott and Paul Leeman firing wide and Rory Hamill forcing the Feyenoord goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek into a smart save. At the other end former Newcastle striker Jon Dahl Tomasson was seeing alot of the ball and he actually had the ball in the net on 17 minutes but referee Herbie Barr ruled it out for offside.

Tomasson hit the post when through on goal nine minutes later and 36 he blasted wide when he really should have found the target. On 43 minutes however the Dutch outfit took the lead although Glens goalkeeper Alan Gough can think himself unlucky after producing a tremendous save to stop Tomasson's spectacular overhead kick only to see Paul Bosvelt turn the rebound home. The Glens unfortinate to go into a break behind attempted to hit back straight away in the second period with Elliott causing danger down the left. And on 54 minutes the winger climbed high to beat the Feyenoord defence in the air but his header was superbly turned away by Dudek when an equaliser was on the cards. In the last quarter the continentals upped the tempo with ex Rangers ace Peter Van Vossen and Brazilian substitute Solmalia going close. But 17 minutes from time the Dutch doubled their lead when Tomaz Rzasa slotted in from close range after Gough had again done superbly to deny Patrick Paauwe who had fired in a vicious free kick.

Feyenoord had further chances to increase their lead but the Glens stood firm in what was a very creditible performance for them.

Teams

Referee Mr Herbie Barr