Newcastle 4 (5) - 0 Zeljeznicar

By Matthew Jones
August 29 2002

Newcastle United made it look so easy. 4-0 on the night, 5-0 on aggregate, there was never a moment when they were doubful to qualify. Alan Shearer managed to hit the post and bar, as well as scoring, and Viana scored a cracking second half goal - his first in English Football.

Newcastle 4 (5) - 0 Zeljeznicar

Newcastle United made it look so easy. 4-0 on the night, 5-0 on aggregate, there was never a moment when they were doubful to qualify. Alan Shearer his the post and bar, aswell as scoring, and Viana scored after making a come back.

Kieron Dyer had already given them a 1-0 lead in the first leg of the third qualifying round back in Sarajevo, and he did it again in St James' Park last night. On the 32rd minute, the England star chipped the keeper to settle down Newcastle.

Just before half-time, Lomano Tresor LuaLua added a second to Newcastle's goal tally. It is just as well he scored, as Shearer was next to him with a clear shot on goal. Zeljeznicar were reduced to ten men after half-time following full-back Sanel Jahic's 69th minute dismissal for a professional foul on Shola Ameobi.



Hugo Viana made it 3-0 on the night, before Shearer, who had hit the post earlier on in the game, made it 4-0 on the night, and 5-0 on aggregate. Shearer then went on to hit the bar! A ball was crosswd to him, and on the half-volley he side-footed it towards the goal, beat the keeper, but it bounced off the floor and bounced right up and hit the bar. Dyer's opener came after Shearer used his strength to hold off a defender before feeding Solano and the Peru star's accurate pass sent the former Ipswich man through on goal.

LuaLua grabbed his third goal of the season ten minutes before half-time after being picked out by Gary Speed on the edge of the area. LuaLua brilliantly made room for himself before curling a shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Summer signing Viana was on target 17 minutes from time, his first goal in English Football.

Three-time Bosnian champions Zeljeznicar crafted a couple of chances and went close on 18 minutes but Shay Given claimed at the second attempt after spilling Rodonja's shot through a crowded area.

The visitors tested Given again on the stroke of half-time but the Republic of Ireland star was able to turn number Sead Seferovic's shot over the bar from close range.

Newcastle's first real effort came inside ten minutes but Solano's 30-yard effort was well wide. A minute later Zeljeznicar were fortunate to clear their lines with Shearer hovering after a defensive mix-up involving keeper Kennan Hasagic.