Napoli seal qualification at point-less Villarreal
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Xinhua, December 8, 2011
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Villarreal's Argentinian Marco Ruben (R) falls over Napoli's Salvatore Aronica (L) during their Champions League soccer match played at the Madrigal stadium in Villarreal, Spain, December 7, 2011. |
Second half goals from Gokhan Inlan and Marek Hamisik saw Italian side Napoles qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League with a 2-0 win away to Spanish side Villarreal.
Napoles travelled to Spain knowing they had to equal the result of Manchester City against Bayern Munich in order to make progress.
The game kicked off with Villarreal having lost all of their previous group games while Napoles needed a win to assure their place in the knockout stages of the competition.
Despite his side needing to pick up the form in the Spanish domestic BBVA Primera Liga, home coach Javier Garrido picked his strongest available side with Christian Zapata returning after a muscle injury, while Marco Ruben and a fit again Nilmar led the attack.
Despite Napoles needing to win, it was Villarreal who made much of the early running as the Spaniards looked to give their fans something to cheer about. Jonathan de Guzman was running things in midfield and was ably supported by the veteran Marcos Senna.
Meanwhile Marco Ruben was looking lively in attack, although on occasions he was caught out by the Napoles offside trap.
Senna saw a shot go close as did Ruben, while Marek Hamisik and Juan Zuniga missed chances for the visitors.
Napoles started the second half knowing that Manchester City's lead over Bayern Munich meant they had to win the game and although the first chance of the half fell to Villarreal's Hernan Perez, the visitors quickly upped the pace driven on by their need for a goal.
That goal finally arrived after 65 minutes when Gokhan Inlan curled home a shot from 25 yards past the despairing Diego Lopez and Hamisik secured their place in the last 16 when he scored following a scramble.
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