Home>News Center>Sports
         
 

Tuncay treble sinks Man Utd hopes
(SportingLife.com)
Updated: 2004-12-09 11:17

A sensational hat-trick from striker Tuncay Sanli sank Manchester United's hopes of topping Champions League Group D.

The Red Devils' 3-0 defeat in Fenerbahce coupled with rivals Lyon's comfortable victory over Sparta Prague means Alex Ferguson's side will draw a group leader in next week's draw for the last 16.


John O'Shea of Manchester United, left, fights for the ball with Fenerbahce's Marcio Nobre at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, during their Champions League Group D soccer match. [AP]

Tuncay scored goals of contrasting quality early in the second half and an understrength United never looked remotely like salvaging the situation.

United began with a young team and only Cristiano Ronaldo from the XI that had brushed Southampton aside in the Premiership on Saturday.

David Bellion supplied United's first attempt on goal when he pounced on a weak clearance from Phil Neville's long throw but lashed the shot wide.

Marco Aurelio was the first name in the book for pulling back the escaping Quinton Fortune but Ronaldo's tame free kick struck the wall at shin height.

An indifferent first period sprang to life two minutes into the second half thanks to a spectacular strike from Tuncay.

There seemed little danger when a free kick was swung into the area but Tuncay swivelled and hooked a shoulder-high ball over his head and in off the underside of the bar with Tim Howard beaten.

Kieran Richardson wasted United's best chance of the match five minutes later when Bellion and Djemba-Djemba combined to set him up.

But he waited an age to line up his shot and then struck a weak effort into the side-netting.

But United's fate was sealed after 62 minutes when Tuncay struck again.

This time he had the straightforward task of heading home an Alex free kick from five yards.

United introduced more youngsters including teenager Gerard Pique but conceded a third in injury-time when Tuncay finished off a lightning break.



 
  Today's Top News     Top Sports News
 

EU works on lifting of arms embargo on China

 

   
 

Policy makers weigh milder 2005 targets

 

   
 

Expert warns of Olympic overconstruction

 

   
 

Plan in pipeline for population problems

 

   
 

Emission quota trading help cut acid rain

 

   
 

Oil leaks after ships collided near Shenzhen

 

   
  Real Madrid defeat Roma 3-0
   
  Five Pacers, seven fans charged in NBA brawl
   
  Bryant: I meant Malone no disrespect
   
  Gerrard rocket powers Liverpool through
   
  Tuncay treble sinks Man Utd hopes
   
  Chinese awarded 3 crowns at AFC ceremony
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
Advertisement