Anzhi hold off Hannover

Traore strike sees off Hannover

Last updated: 21st February 2013   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Anzhi hold off Hannover

Lacina Traore: Late goalscorer for Anzhi

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Hannover's comeback effort fell short as Anzhi Makhachkala earned a 4-2 aggregate win after a 1-1 draw in Germany..

Trailing 3-1 from the first leg, Hannover threw everything they had at the Russians and they reduced the arrears on 70 minutes through Sergio Pinto's goal, but Lacina Traore's last-gasp goal ensured Anzhi's progress.

Hannover had plenty of work to do to save themselves but were also aware of the danger Anzhi posed on the counter-attack, and had an early reminder when Samuel Eto'o drilled a shot wide in the opening exchanges.

But the Germans were controlling the tempo for most of the first half, creating a string of chances only to fail to test Vladimir Gabulov in the Anzhi goal.

Mohamed Abdellaoui blazed a shot wide before Mame Diouf missed the target with a header.

Gabulov could stand and watch once more when Abdellaoui's close-range effort flew over the crossbar.

The goalkeeper did get involved in the 33rd minute, punching Szabolcs Huszti's free-kick clear, but it was their only shot on the target in the first half, with Didier Konan heading wide before the break.

There were further warnings of the dangers Anzhi posed early in the second half, although Mbark Boussoufa's shot was easily gathered by Ron-Robert Zieler before Willian sent one over the crossbar.

At the other end, Christian Schulz could not find the target with a header.

Hannover were given hope when they took the lead on the night in the 70th minute, with Huszti crossing for Pinto to slot home into the left-hand corner of the net.

And Huszti almost put them ahead on away goals three minutes later when Gabulov did well to turn his header around the post for a corner.

They kept the pressure on, with Johan Djourou going close with a header before Abdellaoui sent another shot wide.

However, Anzhi made the game safe in stoppage time when Traore found the net for the Russians.

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