masterful display from ipswich published: thursday 29 august 2002, 23.40cet ipswich town fc 8-1 fc avenir beggen (agg: 9-1) english side prove too strong.
ipswich town fc 8-1 fc avenir beggen (ipswich win 9-1 on aggregate) english first division club ipswich town fc found goalscoring form to ensure their place in the uefa cup first round, having gained entry to the competition via the fair play draw.
counago treble spanish striker pablo counago scored a twice in the absence of ipswich's goalscorer a fortnight ago in luxembourg, marcus stewart, who was holding talks with sunderland afc about a possible transfer to the premiership side.
miller's first for club fc avenir beggen had done well to hold ipswich to 1-0 in the previous leg of the qualifying round tie, but found themselves two down on 18 minutes, tommy miller opening the scoring, and counago, who made the first, helped double the advantage after forcing an own goal from mike ney.
two-goal burst miller then reached his double, backheeling in a cross from counago. then the ex-rc celta de vigo forward made it four, after miller returned the compliment, putting the ball across to counago from the left. three minutes from the break, wayne brown made it five from jim magilton's corner.
beggen secure consolation the visitors made a good start to the second half and, eleven minutes in, greg molitor, having just hit the side netting, headed in a consolation which was applauded by the home fans. however, ipswich soon resumed their own scoring, john mcgreal shooting in from ten metres on the hour mark, and a quarter-of-an-hour later, counago added his second. darren ambrose claimed the eighth in the 79th minute, volleying in finidi george's cross.
