Dortmund, Aug 28 (IANS) German football club Borussia Dortmund came from behind to crush Norwegian outfit Odds BK 7-2 in the second leg of Europa League play-offs.
Despite a powerful start, Dortmund on Thursday suffered a setback as Odd’s Ole Jorgen Halvorsen opened the scoring against the run of the game. However, Dortmund came from behind thanks to a hat-trick by midfielder Marco Reus, a brace from midfielder Shinji Kagawa and goals by key players Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ilkay Guendogan securing the ticket for the UEFA Europa League group-stage.
Dortmund controlled the proceedings from the kick-off working out a couple of goal scoring opportunities in the opening period. Nevertheless, it were the visitors from Norway, who opened the scoring against the run of the game as Halvorsen headed home a corner at the far post in the 19th minute.
The hosts responded six minutes later when Mkhitaryan unleashed a 20-meter thunderbolt into the top right corner to restore parity. It took Dortmund just two minutes to go ahead as Reus made use of Guendogan’s square pass inside the box to make it 2-1.
Dortmund gained momentum as Reus extended the lead after utilising a volley cross by Mkhitaryan inside the box in the 32nd minute. Odd were unable to hold the pace as Kagawa made it 4-1 just before the break after capitalising on a deflected square pass.
After the restart, the hosts started from where they left, as Odd’s goalkeeper Sondre Rossbach was unable to stop Guendogan’s long-range effort at the 51st minute. Reus was again in the thick of things and wrapped up his hat rick six minutes later to make it 6-1.
The visitors reduced the arrears to 6-2 out at the 64th minute before Kagawa sealed his brace to round off the 7-2 victory on home soil.
“Despite the early goal against us I’m satisfied with our performance as we immediately responded with number of promising chances and goals,” Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel said after the game.
The draw for the UEFA Europa League group-stage will be held on Friday.
