Football: Valencia win before Europa semis

MADRID: Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao all won in La Liga, providing crucial boosts ahead of their Europa League semi-finals involvement on Thursday. Third-placed Valencia beat nine-man Real Betis 4-0 at home with goals from Jonas Gonzalves, Sofiane Feghouli, Roberto Soldado and Pablo Piatti to stay on track for a Champions League place next season. Betis had Jose Dorado sent-off in the second-half for pulling over Feghouli as the last defender, while Jorge Molina followed him into the dressing-room with two minutes remaining for protesting. Valencia are now six points ahead of city rivals Levante in fifth place and with only four games left are close to assuring Champions League qualification for the next season.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2012.