Champions League - Standard down Olympiacos

Eurosport - Tue, 03 Nov 13:26:00 2009

Standard Liege threw Champions League Group H wide open with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Olympiacos in Belgium.

2009-10 Champions League Standard Liege's Sarr controls the ball in front of Olympiacos' Mitroglou - 0

Dieumerci Mbokani gave the home side a first-half lead before Milan Jovanovic made it two in the dying seconds.

Standard took a surprise lead midway through the first half after former Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg missed a simple, straight ball down the middle. Mbokani was on it like a flash and made no mistake from 12 yards out.

The home side should have made it 2-0 shortly afterwards. Carcela-Gonzalez found space 25 yards out, the ball sat up and he sent a swirling half-volley thumping against the right-hand post.

After the break Olympiacos almost grabbed an equaliser when Enzo Maresca stole forward, but his diving header flew over the bar.

Mellberg had a great chance to level after an hour, the Olympiacos centre-back volleying straight at Sinan Bolat in the Standard goal after finding himself on the end of a right-wing cross eight yards out.

The Belgium side wrapped up the win with two minutes left.

Mbokani's shot was well saved but Jovanovic followed up to put his header into an empty net and secure the points.

With just two games to play Standard have given themselves a real chance of qualifying from Group H while Olympiacos still have it all to do - and may need a result against Arsenal in their final group game.

Mark Applin / Eurosport

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