Daan Rots' goal ensures that Twente beat Besiktas and advances in the UEFA Europa League
FC Twente picked up a historic win against Besiktas on Thursday to send them through to the next round of the UEFA Europa League. Daan Rots scored the decisive 1-0 winner to send Joseph Oosting’s team through to the play-off round.
The Tukkers knew they needed a win to get to the next round. Their opponents had changed manager a few weeks ago, hiring former Manchester United manager and player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. They also needed a win to have a chance of making it through.
They came incredibly close to breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute. Sayfallah Ltaief’s shot was so far away from the goal that it went straight to Ricky van Wolfswinkel in the six-yard area. All the experienced striker had to do was get it on target, but he aimed his header too low, resulting in it bouncing off the ground and over the vacant goal.
Twente were the better team, and they had another chance to make it 1-0 in the 53rd minute. Sem Steijn did well to chip the ball to Daan Rots in the box, who took a touch and put it on his preferred left foot before hitting it high and wide of the goal.
They hit the post two minutes later. Ltaeif played a pass through to Steijn, whose shot came off a Besiktas defender and went out via the woodwork.
The Tukkers finally got the goal they thoroughly deserved in the 76th minute. Anass Salah-Eddine passed the ball into the box to Rots, who whipped his foot around the ball, sending it into the goal and sending the crowd in the Grolsch Veste stadium wild.
Oosting’s team held on to the win with help from a few saves from goalkeeper Lars Unnerstal. The final whistle was met with wild cheers from the Twente supporters.
The feat is made even more noteworthy by the fact that Twente only picked up their first win in the competition last week. They will find out their opponents in the playoff round on Friday during the Europa League draw.
