Twente - Steaua - 2009

FC Twente were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Steaua Bucharest in Europa League Group H. Miroslav Stoch almost won it seven minutes from time for Steve McClaren's side but his effort was tipped around the post by visiting goalkeeper Robinson Zapata. The result keeps Twente top of the pool on four points from two games, while Steaua double their tally to two points following their second successive goalless draw in the competition. The first half was a cagey affair with both sides struggling to muster clear-cut chances. Romeo Surdu had a sighter caught by Twente goalkeeper Sander Boschker and Kenneth Perez's curling effort at the other end was equally comfortably dealt with by Zapata just after the quarter-hour mark. Home stopper Boschker was the busier of the two for the remainder of the opening period, keeping out a weak 20-yard shot from Eric Bicfalvi and a powerful free-kick from Surdu. Boschker had to be alert in the 30th minute to deny Pantelis Kapetanos from close range and also got in the way of a Banel Nicolita blast shortly afterwards as the visitors continued to push for the breakthrough. McClaren's Twente began to find their feet as the half wore on, with Perez and Cheik Tiote producing shots but failing to find the target. Blaise Nkufo was presented with a fine opportunity two minutes before the break but managed to hit his left-footed effort wide from inside the six-yard box. Kapetanos managed to lash over the bar from 12 yards 10 minutes into the second half but still the opening goal proved elusive. The hosts came close in the final half-hour but both Miroslav Stoch and Nkufo were guilty of directing efforts wide when well placed, the former with a shot from the edge of the box and the latter from a header. Bernard Parker did make Zapata work with a shot 19 minutes from time but the Steaua keeper was up to the challenge. Theo Janssen was become more influential as the match continued, but the best chance he was afforded ended with a shot which was well saved by Zapata. Stoch then had a golden chance to win it but saw his shot tipped away for a corner by Zapata as Steaua held on for the point.