Swans progress after goalless draw

08 August 2013 23:01

Swansea cruised into the Europa League play-off round with a comfortable goalless draw in Malmo.

The Welsh club had held a 4-0 lead coming into the second leg of this third qualifying round tie and Michael Laudrup's side were rarely troubled as they advanced with ease at the Swedbank Stadion.

Wilfried Bony, the two-goal hero last week, had the ball in the net again this week but was denied by an offside flag, while Michu, Wayne Routledge and Jonathan de Guzman failed to finish good chances.

Malmo's best chance came inside 90 seconds, but Pawel Cibicki fired wastefully wide as they exited the tournament tamely.

Having survived that early scare, Swansea quickly took control of proceedings.

Alejandro Pozuelo freed Michu but the Spaniard's sliding left-footed shot was foiled by the quickly advancing Johan Dahlin.

Routledge failed to convert a better opportunity just a few minutes later. Jose Canas' lovely lofted pass sent the winger racing through on goal but he prodded a right-foot effort wide of the far post.

Bony showed them how it should be done with a clinical finish from a Routledge through-ball, but the Ivory Coast international was adjudged to have strayed beyond the last defender.

In truth Swansea never threatened to reach the level of performance shown in the first leg, but they thought they had the goal their dominance merited late on in a forgettable second half.

Pozuelo's chip played in De Guzman and the Dutch international nicked the ball past Dahlin, only for Pontus Jansson to recover and clear off the line.

Source: PA