Fenerbahçe knocked out of Champions League competition

ISTANBUL

AFP photo

Turkish club Fenerbahçe’s star-studded squad will not be playing in the Champions League this season after losing a third qualifying ground tie against Shakthar Donetsk. 

Goals from Dario Srna, Oleksandr Gladkiy and Alex Teixeira gave Shakthar a 3-0 victory at home Aug. 5, in the return game of a goalless draw in Istanbul, booking the Ukrainians a place in the playoff leg.

While Robin van Persie did not feature for Fenerbahçe side, Vitor Pereira’s men boasted the likes of Diego, Raul Meireles, Nani, Simon Kjaer and Bruno Alves. But even they could not help their side end a six-season longing for the European football’s showpiece vent on a club level.

Gladkiy broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when he tapped home from close range to give Shakhtar a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

Srna and Teixeira completed the job just after the hour mark, with a two-goal burst within three minutes. 
Also on Aug. 5, Celtic held on for a 0-0 draw at Qarabag FK in Azerbaijan, Baku, to seal its place in the playoffs.

Leading 1-0 from the first-leg, Emilio Izaguirre was called on early to clear, after goalkeeper Craig Gordon flapped at a cross. The keeper then had to deny Richard Almeida after he hammered a shot from 20 meters.

Ronny Deila’s men struggled to create another opportunity and Qarabag defender Rashad Sadygov almost got the equalizer, but his shot flew over the bar. Badavi Guseynov also wasted a good chance before Celtic almost sealed the deal through Stefan Johansen.

The Scottish side held on, though, ensuring that it will be in Aug. 7’s draw for the playoff round.