Galatasaray edge Schalke to make last 8
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E-mail Xinhua, March 13, 2013
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Galatasaray players celebrate advancing to last 8 in UEFA Champions League. |
Turkish side Galatasaray came from behind to seal quarterfinals in a dramatic encounter thanks to a 3-2 win at Schalke in the round of last sixteen on Tuesday.
Galatasaray progressed into the quarterfinals following a 3-2 win, 4-3 on aggregate, as Umut Bulut destroyed all hopes by pressing Schalke of a late winner in the closing period.
Schalke ensured a brilliant start as Roman Neustaedter broke the deadlock against the run of the match at the 17th minute. Neustaedter utilized a failed clearance attempt by Galatasary keeper Fernando Muslera, to slot home from eight meters.
The visitors responded well to the setback as they continued their approximation to Schalke's goal. Their efforts were rewarded when Didier Droga assisted Turkish international Hamit Altintop, who hammered home from 30 meters to restore parity at the 37th minute.
Schalke stilled wobbled whilst the visitors made use of their momentum as Burak Yilmaz finished a counter attack with a lob to beat keeper Timo Hildebrandt to turn the encounter on its head five minutes later.
Schalke started with a goal scoring opportunity into the second half but Galatasaray keeper Muslera denied the chance by Teemu Pukki.
However, Michel Bastos staged a better figure in front of the visitors' goal as he levelled the score into the open goal following an assist by Atsuto Uchida, who made use of a fumble by Muslera inside the box at the 63rd minute.
Bastos equalizer sparked hopes by the "Royal Blues" as they needed a victory to progress into the quarterfinals.
Schalke pressed frenetically but all their efforts remained fruitless as Umut Bulat wrapped up the quarterfinals with the 3-2 winner in the dying minutes of the match.
"We already lost the match at the first half," Schalke coach Jens Keller said after the elimination from the UEFA Champions League.
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