Lyon defeated Toulouse 3-0 in their first game of the 2008-09 French Ligue 1 season. Karim Benzema netted twice and new signing Jean II Makoun scored once, but the French giants suffered a blow as rightback Francois Clerc ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the first half. Medical tests have revealed that Clerc can be expected to be out of action for the next six months.
Year: 2008
SPL 2008-09 Falkirk 0-1 Rangers
Lithuanian striker Andrius Velicka scored the only goal of the game as Rangers beat Falkirk 1-0 in the opening game of the 2008-09 SPL season. Velicka, who was disappointing in his debut in the second leg of Rangers second round qualifying game against old club Kaunas, converted in the 64th minute from Kyle Lafferty’s cross.
Velicka’s goal came 10 minutes after Michael Higdon had his penalty saved by Allan McGregor. Steven Whittaker, one of the three Rangers players to be booked in the game, had brought down McBride in the box, but McGregor saved Rangers by pushing Higdon’s shot wide.
Other results from the SPL- Aug 9 2008
Hearts 3-2 Motherwell ( Michael Stewart 25′ , Audrius Ksanavicius 40′ , Saulius Mikoliunas 82′ / David Clarkson 33′, 81′)
Kilmarnock 1-0 Hibernian ( Jamie Hamill 80′)
Aberdeen 0-2 Inverness ( Andrew Borrowman 27′, Roy McBain 90′)
This is Inverness’ first ever win over Aberdeen.
Benfica loan Jose Antonio Reyes
Portuguese giants SL Benfica have announced the signing of Atletico winger Jose Antonio Reyes on a season long loan. The former Arsenal player, deemed surplus to requirements after just one season at Vicente Calderon, becomes Benfica’s fourth summer signing after Pablo Aimar, Carlos Martins and Javier Balboa. Benfica have paid €2.65 million for 25% of Reyes’ playing rights, with an option to buy the remaining 3/4th when the loan spell ends.