FCZForum - FCZ - FC Zürich

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A second-half strike by Admir Mehmedi proved enough to send FC Zürich into the UEFA Champions League play-offs, securing a 1-0 victory on the night and 2-1 aggregate triumph over ten-man R. Standard de Liège.

Mehmedi's goal after 58 minutes made amends for his failure to convert a penalty midway through the first half. Mehmedi – scorer of Zürich's goal in the first leg – proved a thorn in the Belgian team's side once more as he was felled in the box by Yoni Buyens. The Standard midfielder was dismissed for his challenge but Sinan Bolat dived to the right to deny Mehmedi.

With 11 men, Standard had threatened once during a tight opening as striker Mohamed Tchite drove just wide from distance but, despite the penalty setback, Zürich took command and Mehmedi spurned another opportunity when heading an Adrian Nikci cross over the bar in the 41st minute.

Urs Fischer's hosts stayed on top in the second period but struggled to open up the visitors' defence until a superb pass by Silvan Aegerter set up Mehmedi to chip home from inside the area. Nacho González, scorer of Standard's last-gasp equaliser in Liege, threatened to hit back with a fine strike that Johnny Leoni foiled with a good save, though in the end the visitors' margin of defeat might have been greater, Ricardo Rodriguez missing a clear chance for a second goal from close range.

:):)