Quick-fire Rufete downs Roda

By Andy Hall

Francisco Rufete set Valencia CF on course for victory against visiting Dutch side Roda JC at the Mestalla this evening with a quick-fire hat-trick either side of half-time that puts the Spanish team in full control of the UEFA Intertoto Cup semi-final and closer to a bid to regain the UEFA Cup they won in 2003/04.

Defensive changes
Valencia coach Quique Sánchez Flores made changes to his defence for the tie compared to Saturday's third round second-leg win against KAA Gent, introducing Pedro López and Carlos Marchena while Marco Di Vaio returned up front. The home team went into the game with a question mark hanging over their failure to find the net during the pre-season and it looked like more of the same when Vicente Rodríguez's effort flew just wide on three minutes.

Rufete rally
The Spanish club dominated the early stages but gradually allowed Roda to play the ball around, without giving them the chance to encroach on Santiago Cañizares's goal. Valencia stepped up a gear late in the half and went ahead on 35 minutes when Edu's diving header was blocked but fell neatly for Rufete to knock in the opening goal. Five minutes later Roda were caught on the break and Rufete was again on hand to beat Vladamir Kujovic with a low drive.

Kluivert incisiveness
The second half began as the first had ended and less than five minutes after the restart Rufete received a glorious pass from Patrick Kluivert and drilled his third goal of the evening past the beleaguered Kujovic. Di Vaio then looked to the heavens in despair as his delicate chip sailed just over.

Kujovic heroics
The Italian striker was denied by Kujovic soon after, and substitute David Villa also saw his effort saved but the Serbo-Montenegrin goalkeeper could do nothing to Emiliano Moretti from heading his side's fourth in the dying minutes. Valencia are now well placed for the return leg at the Parkstad Limburg next Wednesday, with Hamburger SV or SK Sigma Olomouc awaiting in the final.