Basle defeat Deportivo

Basle 1-0 Deportivo La Coruna

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Basle kept themselves in contention in Group D with a narrow win over Deportivo La Coruna in sub-freezing temperatures.

A single goal from Swiss international Hakan Yakin on the half-hour mark was enough to seal the points for Christian Gross's side.

The midfielder picked up a pass from Julio-Hernan Rossi outside the penalty area and smashed it into the bottom right-hand side of the Deportivo goal.

Earlier, Yakin's brother Murat - the Basle captain - had almost opened the scoring when his 10th-minute free kick flew over the wall.

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But it bounced off the left-hand post and was cleared by the Deportivo defence.

Basle, the surprise qualifiers for the second group stage of the Champions League, easily kept the visitors at bay for most of the first half.

Deportivo's best chance fell to Dutch striker Roy Makaay, whose close-range shot was blocked by Basel goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuehler.

After the break, the Spanish side began to pile on the pressure but the Swiss defence held firm.

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Basle: Zuberbuhler, Zwyssig, Hakan Yakin (Varela 85), Barberis, Gimenez, Murat Yakin, Cantaluppi, Haas, Atouba, Chipperfield (Duruz 70), Juilio Rossi (Huggel 51). Subs not used: Rapo, Quennoz, Tum, Degen.

D Coruna: Juanmi, Romero, Naybet, Makaay, Scaloni, Andrade, Sergio (Acuna 81), Luque (Amavisca 64), Donato (Tristan 46), Duscher, Hector. Subs not used: Mallo, Manuel Pablo, Capdevila, Valeron, Acuna.

Booked: Luque.

Referee: Rene Temmink (Holland)

Attendance: 29,031