Željeznicar hit top form

By Paolo Menicucci at the Stadio Olimpico

Bosnia-Herzegovnian side NK Željeznicar moved to within touching distance of the UEFA Cup second qualifying round after a comfortable victory in Serravalle against tournament debutants S.S. Pennarossa.

Early goal
Željeznicar dominated the champions of San Marino from the start and were three up in eleven minutes. They took the lead after just a few seconds when right winger Almir Gredic converted a low cross by left-back Alen Kurt with a precise left-foot shot.

Lead increases
After five minutes Željeznicar staged a carbon-copy of the first goal. Inspirational attacking midfield player Dželaludin Muharemovic dribbled past Pennarossa right-back Matteo Zavoli on the left flank and found Admir Rašcic, who doubled the lead.

Scoring continues
Rašcic scored again for the visitors on the eleven-minute mark with a superb shot from just outside the penalty box after a nice combination between Muharemovic and Emir Hadžic. Pennarossa were looking to attack, but Željeznicar kept control of the game and added the fourth goal in the 31st minute when Denis Karic shot in from the edge of the box.

Vrsajevic adds fifth
Having scored twice, Rašcic was withdrawn at the break and Pennarossa had some relief. Home goalkeeper Gabriele Frisoni did well to save on the hour when a low cross by substitute Avdija Vrsajevic was deflected towards his own goal by Marco Tomassoni. But, ten minutes from the end, Vrsajevic did claim a goal, turning in a cross from the always-dangerous Muharemovic.

Late consolation
Moroccan striker Mohammed Zaboul pulled one back two minutes from time, but his side will need an extraordinary result in Sarajevo on 29 July to turn the tie.