bastian
Feb 26 2005, 10:38 PM
Borussia Dortmund 3-0 Mainz: FT Report
PA
DORTMUND, February 26 (Bundesliga) - Borussia Dortmund bounced back from last week's 5-0 drubbing at Bayern Munich and eased any lingering relegation fears with a comfortable victory over fellow strugglers Mainz.
Goals from Ebi Smolarek, Jan Koller and Lars Ricken helped Bert van Marwijk's side forget their well-documented off-field problems and made Mainz's first trip to the Westfalenstadion one to forget.
Koller came close to opening the scoring after 20 minutes when the Czech striker rattled the bar from 15 yards after controlling Florian Kringe's cross.
However, Dortmund took the lead eight minutes later. Dede's cross from the left came off the unfortunate Nikolce Noweski and Smolarek pounced on the loose ball to net his first home goal of the season from close range before being booked for an over-enthusiastic celebration.
Mainz keeper Dimo Wache then twice brilliantly denied Koller from six yards with two reflex saves to ensure the home side only went in one up at the break.
Nine minutes into the second half however, Dortmund doubled their advantage.
Ricken's surge down the left flank began the move which finished with the 28-year-old heading against the bar only for the ball to find Koller, who had the easiest of tasks to nod the ball into the back of the net.
Ricken himself then got in on the scoring act after 77 minutes to put the result beyond doubt.
The midfielder was fed by Kringe on the left-hand side of the Mainz area before unleashing a powerful strike that beat Wache.
Koller had a great chance to extend Dortmund's lead just two minutes later but the giant striker shot straight at Wache instead of an empty net after the Mainz keeper had spilled a shot.
The miss proved academic as Dortmund duly completed to victory and will head to Nurnberg next week confident of another three points.
PA
DORTMUND, February 26 (Bundesliga) - Borussia Dortmund bounced back from last week's 5-0 drubbing at Bayern Munich and eased any lingering relegation fears with a comfortable victory over fellow strugglers Mainz.
Goals from Ebi Smolarek, Jan Koller and Lars Ricken helped Bert van Marwijk's side forget their well-documented off-field problems and made Mainz's first trip to the Westfalenstadion one to forget.
Koller came close to opening the scoring after 20 minutes when the Czech striker rattled the bar from 15 yards after controlling Florian Kringe's cross.
However, Dortmund took the lead eight minutes later. Dede's cross from the left came off the unfortunate Nikolce Noweski and Smolarek pounced on the loose ball to net his first home goal of the season from close range before being booked for an over-enthusiastic celebration.
Mainz keeper Dimo Wache then twice brilliantly denied Koller from six yards with two reflex saves to ensure the home side only went in one up at the break.
Nine minutes into the second half however, Dortmund doubled their advantage.
Ricken's surge down the left flank began the move which finished with the 28-year-old heading against the bar only for the ball to find Koller, who had the easiest of tasks to nod the ball into the back of the net.
Ricken himself then got in on the scoring act after 77 minutes to put the result beyond doubt.
The midfielder was fed by Kringe on the left-hand side of the Mainz area before unleashing a powerful strike that beat Wache.
Koller had a great chance to extend Dortmund's lead just two minutes later but the giant striker shot straight at Wache instead of an empty net after the Mainz keeper had spilled a shot.
The miss proved academic as Dortmund duly completed to victory and will head to Nurnberg next week confident of another three points.