| SEVILLE,
February 6 (Primera Liga) - Real Betis boosted their bid for
a place in Europe next season with a fine home victory at
the expense of Osasuna.
Marcos Assuncao put Betis ahead but the visitors from Pamplona
hit back seven minutes later through Valmiro Valdo.
David Rivas made it 2-0 after 36 minutes and Ricardo Oliveira
wrapped up the points with a third nine minutes from time.
The Andalusians, cheered on by their home supporters, were
quickly into their stride and after two minutes the first
chance fell their way.
It was all down to a trademark dash down the right by the
club's Spanish international winger Joaquin Sanchez.
Joaquin crossed the ball low to Oliveira who was perfectly
positioned but his shot was well saved by Juan Elia in the
Osasuna goal.
Eight minutes later the home side took the lead through
their experienced Brazilian midfielder Assuncao.
The former Roma player won the ball from Osasuna and fired
a speculative shot goalwards but the ball took a freak bounce
off the pitch to deceive Elia.
The visitors from the Basque country did not take long
to get back on terms and it was Valdo who supplied it.
Ludovic Delporte crossed the ball and both Pierre Webo
and Richard Morales left the ball to Valdo who made no mistake
with his finish.
Three minutes later Osasuna threatened again as Webo launched
a daring solo raid but, after beaing several defenders,
his shot was saved by Antonio Doblas in the Betis goal.
After 32 minutes Betis won a dangerous free-kick after
a handball by Jose Josetxo.
Assuncao, frequently a scorer with the dead ball when he
was a member of Roma's 2001 Scudetto-winning side, bent
the ball just wide of Elia's post.
The Seville outfit then took the lead and once again Assuncao
was in the thick of the action.
Assuncao delivered another fine free-kick and Rivas was
perfectly positioned to put the Andalusians ahead.
In the second period, Osasuna started well in search of
what would be a second equaliser if they could find it.
A minute after play resumed Morales delivered a perfect
cross for Inaki Munoz whose shot ended up in the crowd.
However, at the other end Betis could have extended their
lead when Oliveira picked up a loose ball but his fierce
shot failed to find the target.
Ten minutes later Doblas came to the rescue again for Betis
when he saved well with his right foot from Savo Milosevic.
Osasuna were pouring players forward in search of the equaliser
and a superb dribble from Fernando Fernandez almost did
the trick but his shot from the right failed to find the
target.
Javier Aguirre's side were made to rue that miss when Oliveira
finished them off by firing past Elia with Osasuna players
looking in vain for an offside decision by referee Jose
Losantos Omar.
In stoppage time Osasuna almost pulled one back when Valdo
created a chance for Milosevic whose header went wide of
the mark |