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Former PSV head coach Dick Advocaat has won his first European title after a host of domestic triumphs. The little general lifted the UEFA Cup in Manchester on Wednesday night after his FC Zenit St. Petersburg side had recorded a deserved 2-0 win over Glasgow Rangers. Advocaat managed PSV from December 1994 to the summer of 1998.
Fifteen minutes from time, the deadlock was broken at the City of Manchester Stadium that provided a terrific atmosphere. Igor Denisov raced through the heart of the stubborn Rangers defence, setting up a 1-2 combination with Andrei Arsjavin. Denisov was put clear with a superb through ball and, one-one-one with Rangers keeper Neil Alexander, he gave Zenit the lead with a clinical low finish. Konstantin Zirianov, who had already seen an effort hit the outside of the post, put the result beyond doubt in the final minute of added time, tapping home a perfect Fatih Tekke cross from close range; 2-0. Seconds later, the final whistle sparked wild scenes of huge celebrations among the players and the fans alike.
'I am awfully glad we have won the Uefa Cup' told Advocaat reporters after the game. 'Winning a prize like this does not come often in your life. I have won all sorts of championships in my career but never a European trophy, so it is a special prize. It is the highlight of my career. We have achieved something special with a Russian club', said Advocaat, referring to winning the Russian title as well as his first European trophy.
Advocaat also paid attention to the rise of Russian football. 'I'm very proud for Zenit that we have won. I think we really deserved to win the Uefa Cup because of the way we have played in this tournament.'
Winning the Uefa Cup on Wednesday night, at the expense of Zenit coach Dick Advocaat follows in the footsteps of a group of renowned fellow countrymen. Advocaat is the sixth Dutch coach to have won a European trophy with a foreign club, with the likes of Hans Croon, Aad de Mos, Johan Cruijff, Frank Rijkaard and PSV's new coach Huub Stevens preceding him.
