Americans Abroad

Beasley goal sends Eindhoven to 1-0 Champions League win over Rosenborg.

DaMarcus Beasley was named "Man of the Match after scoring the winning goal for PSV Eindhoven in its Champions League victory over Rosenborg. -- PSV Eindhoven web site photo --

By Robert Wagman (in Washington, D.C.)
SoccerTimes

(Tuesday, November 2, 2004) - United States midfielder DaMarcus Beasley scored early to lead PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands to a 1-0 victory over Norway's Rosenborg today, pushing the home team closer to advancing from Group E of the European Champions League.

Beasley came out running and his pace caused problems for the Rosenborg, including its American defender Robbie Russell. In the seventh minute, PSV had the first good chance of the match when Mark Van Bommel sent Beasley through, but Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink could not get his head on Beasley's cross in front of the net.

Three minutes later, Philip Cocu chipped a ball over the Rosenborg defense for Beasley to run onto. He controlled the ball, rounded goalkeeper Espen Johnsen, and scored for the 1-0 lead.

PSV seemed then to lose intensity and Rosenborg created two good chances, but first Stale Stensaas failed to put the ball into an empty net, then Eindhoven keeper Edwin Zoetebier saved a close-range attempt by Frode Johnsen.

"The early goal was perfect, but we had the chance to settle the match within 15 minutes," said PSV coach Guus Hiddink told Reuters. "The start was satisfying, but we used up lots of energy because we failed to seal the win in the early phase."

Both teams had their chances in the second half with Beasley involved in possibly the best. In the 62nd minute, he beat three defenders, including Russell, but could not connect with Vennegoor of Hesselink, who was open, or the attacking midfielder Cocu. Beasley was replaced in the 82nd minute by Johan Vonlanthen, a defensive midfielder.

For the most part, Russell and the Rosenborg defense played well for coach Ole By Rise who was fired last month by the club's board. On Sunday, the team secured its record 13th consecutive Tippeligaen Norwegian league title.

Rise will leave after the Champions League group phase. "It's disappointing that Panathinaikos grabbed a point at Arsenal," Rise told Reuters. "Now we need a miracle to finish third in the group. It'll be tough in my final weeks at Rosenborg, but I won't resign before the end of campaign."

Arsenal drew 1-1 with visiting Panathinaikos today. With two games remaining, PSV leads Group E at 3-1 with nine points, followed by Arsenal (1-0-3, 6), Panathinaikos (1-1-2, 5), and Rosenborg (0-3-1, 1), The top two teams in each of eight groups advance to the knockout Round of 16. The eight third-place clubs then join the third round of the second-tier UEFA Cup

U.S. defender\midfielder John O'Brien did not travel to Israel with Ajax Amsterdam for its critical Group C match Wednesday at Maccabi Tel-Aviv. Ajax is in third-place at 1-3 with three points while Maccabi is winless at 0-3. Juventus leads at 3-0 with nine points, followed by Bayern Munich is 2-1 with six points.

O'Brien did play 90 minutes with the Ajax reserves in a 2-1 win over ADO Den Haag on Monday.

Robert Wagman is a SoccerTimes senior correspondent. E-mail Robert Wagman.