Lens make no mistake

By Christian Châtelet

RC Lens are within one tie of the UEFA Cup first round after an overwhelming victory against 2003 UEFA Intertoto Cup finalists VfL Wolfsburg.

Cluj tie
The first leg of the semi-final in Germany was goalless, but Aruna Dindane, Seydou Keita and Issam Jemaa, who scored twice, all found the target against a team reduced to ten men with the score at 2-0. Lens now meet CFR Cluj - who eliminated AS Saint-Etienne in the third round - on 9 and 23 August, with the first leg in Romania.

Dindane strikes
Lens made the decision to select Dindane, their new €3m Ivorian signing from RSC Anderlecht and the second leg began with far more attacking spirit that the first last week. Slovakian defender Miroslav Karhan came close to grabbing Wolfsburg an invaluable away goal on the half-hour mark, but his free-kick was saved by Charles Itandje.

Lethal weapon
However, the home side had more possession and Dindane proved a lethal weapon in the front line when he scored his first goal in Lens colours three minutes before half-time, after a pass from Olivier Thomert.

Menseguez off
Keita added another three minutes after the restart with a ruthless header from midfielder Jérôme Leroy's cross. Now Wolfsburg were in trouble, and their task became more difficult after when Argentinian Juan Carlos Menseguez was shown the red card on the hour after a dangerous tackle on Brazilian defender Hilton. Lens were cruising, and another African found the target as Assou-Ekotto's low ball was turned in by Jemaa.

Evening complete
The Tunisian striker completed a fine evening for Lens when he pounced after Daniel Cousin's effort on goal was blocked by Simon Jentsch. Lens now aim to become the eleventh French Intertoto Cup winners.