Fiorentina into UEFA Cup semifinals with win over PSV Eindhoven

BRUSSELS, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Italy's Fiorentina cruised into the semifinals of the UEFA Cup Thursday night after beating hosts PSV Eindhoven 2-0 thanks to two brilliant goals by Romanian striker Adrian Mutu in the second-leg of the quarterfinals.

The two teams finished 1-1 in Florence one week ago.

At the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven, the Italian visitors proved too much for the hosts, which had been weakened by the absence of star midfielder Ibrahim Afellay through injury and the suspension of Peruvian striker Jefferson Farfan.

Fiorentina had better goal possession, more shots and more corner kicks. And their efforts paid off at the 37th minute when Mutu opened the scoring with a 20-meter right-footed shot, which sailed into the upper right corner of the goal.

In the second half, Fiorentina kept the pressure on PSV, which had difficulties to find effective counter-attacks against the visitors. At the 54th minute, Mutu scored his second goal of the night with another right-footed shot.

At the 81st minute, PSV had the chance to narrow the deficit, but capitan Timmy Simons' penalty kick went into the middle and was saved by Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey.

In the semifinals, Fiorentina will play Glasgow Rangers of Scotland, which whipped hosts Sporting Lisbon 2-0 Thursday night.

The first leg of the semifinal will take place on April 24 in Glasgow.