Partizan hold Plzen in Europa League knockouts

Serbia's FK Partizan and Victoria Plzen of the Czech Republic played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the knockouts of the UEFA Europa League here.

The first half of the game was marked by several scoring chances for both teams on Thursday, reports Xinhua news agency.

In the 21st minute Plzen's Michal Krmencik found the back of the net, only for the goal to be disallowed because he was judged to be offside.

Partizan created a lot of chances. Firstly, Seydouba Soumah shot on goal after an assist by Zoran Tosic, but the ball deflected behind for a corner.

After the corner kick, Leandre Tawamba managed to pick it up with his head, but the header went just above the bar.

Plzen's net was not shaken until almost the hour mark when Miroslav Vulicevic's deflected cross was picked up from close range by Tawamba who scored his fourth goal in the competition this season.

The victory seemed all but certain for Partizan when in 81st minute Krmencik managed to place the ball into the danger zone with his head, and Radim Reznik converted the chance.

The two teams will play the second leg in Plzen in the Czech Republic on February 22.

--IANS

sam/hs