anderlecht shut out rapid published: thursday 31 july 2003, 0.26cet afc rapid bucuresti 0-0 rsc anderlecht belgian side come away from romania with a goalless draw.
the tie between afc rapid bucuresti and rsc anderlecht in the uefa champions league second qualifying round is finely poised after the first leg in romania finished goalless.
solid defending lacking a number of key players through injury, anderlecht defended solidly throughout in the face of some strong pressure from rapid. the home side started aggressively and went close to taking the lead after seven minutes, with daniel niculae's effort forcing a good save from anderlecht goalkeeper daniel zitka.
anderlecht come back however, the visitors came back strongly and nenad jestrovic squandered a golden chance to score a priceless away goal three minutes later, while strike partner aruna dindane caused a number of problems for the rapid defence.
jestrovic close again none the less, rapid continued to press forward, and florin bratu shot wide when well placed inside the area. anderlecht relied on swift counterattacks, with ki-hyeon seol, jestrovic and dindane all going close while niculae also saw an effort drift just past the post.
late drama the team from brussels gradually took control after half-time, and jestrovic wasted another good opportunity a minute past the hour while anderlecht captain walter baseggio had a shot saved by ibrahim dossey. however, the home side almost secured a narrow first-leg advantage in the final minute, but substitute henry olufosoye makinwa's header flew centimetres wide.
