Written by Viorel Mesca
The Swiss lads have done it again. A brilliant first 30 minutes from YB was enough to defeat Harry’s men, as the score table registered a stunning 3-0. I couldn’t believe my eyes and I am pretty sure that neither could Spurs fans, as YB surely stunned everyone with their performance.
Spurs were clearly the favorites to win the game, but YB proved us wrong once more.
After just one minute, Bosnian Senad Lulic struck the right-hand post as Spurs were given a lucky break. Moments later, the Bosnian scored for 1-0 from eight yards out. It was Henri Bienvenu’s deflected shot from outside the penalty area which came into the Bosnian’s path as Lulic put the ball past Gomes.
One would have thought that goal was enough for the Swiss, but striker Henri Bienvenu received the pass of Thierry Doubai, turned Michael Dawson with ease and put his team 2-0 in front.
Spurs were shocked and conceded again in the 29th minute as Xavier Hochstrasser powered the ball home to give YB an unbelievable 3-0 lead. Redknapp quickly made a change by bringing on Huddlestone in place for Beniot Assou-Ekotto, as the Cameroonian had a terrible game.
In the 42nd minute of the first half, Gareth Bale’s swinging corner was met by Sebastien Bassong, who thumped the ball past the Swiss keeper to give Spurs little hopes for the second half.
At the beginning of the second half Redknapp brought on Niko Kranjcar for Luka Modric and Tottenham seemed brighter with Gareth Bale bursting down the left flank, delivering a perfect ball both Defoe and Pavlyuchenko failed to make the most of. The Swiss side had another glorious chance, as David Degen and Bienvenu swapped an ingenious one-two, the former finding himself storming into the Spurs’ penalty area only to be blocked by Bassong.
Spurs attacked desperately to get another goal with Robbie Keane coming on for the injured Defoe, with the time ticking away. The Swiss were happy to play the counterattack card and they nearly scored a fourth. Hochstrasser took advantage of Bale’s poor throw in, crossing the ball to Schneuwly who blast it just inches over Gomes’ bar. Moments later, Schneuwly managed again to blast the ball over after Bienvenu’s cross.
I think the Swiss should have seen it coming. As they continued to miss goalscoring chances, Spurs turned out to be the team to hit the back of the net. Roman Pavluychenko and Robbie Keane were Spurs’ heroes creating a neat one-two with the latter playing the former inside the area, as the Russian found the net from a tight angle to give Spurs’ a precious second away goal.
Pavlyuchenko’s late goal gave Tottenham a Champions League lifeline as Spurs are still favorites to qualify for the stage group. Still, having in view YB’s performance last night (and the 1-0 win at Fenerbache), Spurs must work much harder in the second leg to qualify.
Regardless of the outcome of the second leg, thumbs up to Young Boys and their manager, Vladimir Petkovic. It was a great game, a classic game!
