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Adriano, Kobiashvili hit hat-tricks; Shevchenko scores four
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-24 09:51
Kobiashvili hat-trick gives Schalke win over PSV
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Levan Kobiashvili struck a
hat-trick to give Schalke 04 a 3-0 Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven on
Wednesday, setting up a nail-biting final match day in Group E.
Georgian international Kobiashvili opened the scoring with an 18th minute
penalty, tapped in a second in the 72nd minute and scored his second spot kick
of the night seven minutes later.
Schalke's second successive home win leaves them level with AC Milan at the
top of the group with eight points after the Italians won 4-0 at Fenerbahce. PSV
slip to third a point behind them.
Schalke face a trip to the San Siro to play Milan in the final round of
matches on December 6. PSV are at home to Fenerbahce, who can no longer qualify.
PSV, who reached the semi-finals last season, had Philip Cocu back in
midfield after missing the weekend league game with the 'flu and the Dutch held
Schalke's three-man attack comfortably for the opening quarter of an hour.
The game chanced with the debatable first penalty award.
Gustavo Varela found space on the right and sent in a cross that struck Andre
Ooijer on the arm. Referee Lubos Michel awarded the penalty and Kobiashvili sent
it straight down the middle, with keeper Gomes going to his left.
"We made life hard for ourselves early in the match but we were patient and
waited for our chances to come," said Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick. "That paid
off for us."
PSV briefly threatened a comeback, Robert forcing a reflex save from Frank
Rost five minutes later, but Schalke quickly reasserted control.
Kevin Kuranyi set Lincoln up with a sharp pass five minutes before the break
and the Brazilian struck the post with a rifled shot.
PSV faded still further after the break and Schalke deservedly added to their
lead thanks to a great piece of skill from Lincoln. His deft left-foot chip from
the edge of the area beat Gomes and hit the bar, bouncing out for Kobiashvili to
convert from a metre or so.
Seven minutes later, substitute Gerald Sibon brought down Fabian Ernst on a
run into the box and Kobiashvili gratefully completed his hat-trick.
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