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| April 20, 2003 | Sunday | Safar 17, 1424 |
Rangers oust Motherwell to reach Cup final
GLASGOW, April 19: Rangers saw off a determined challenge from outsiders Motherwell to win their Scottish Cup semifinal 4-3 on Saturday and remain on course for the Treble.
Rangers got a dream start when Dutchman Bert Konterman smashed in a swerving 20-metre shot after just two minutes.
But Motherwell, bottom of the premier league and in their first Scottish Cup semifinal since 1991 levelled the Hampden Park tie after 15 minutes through striker Steven Craig.
Impressive midfielder James McFadden then shaped a brilliant second to give Motherwell, managed by former Rangers and England stalwart Terry Butcher, a 2-1 lead after 27 minutes.
Motherwell’s 17-year-old forward David Clarkson then missed a great chance to stretch the lead late in the first half while Rangers’ Barry Ferguson thumped a shot against the bar early in the second.
The game turned, though, in four minutes midway through the second period when Dutch striker Michael Mols broke clear to equalise in the 56th minute and centre back Lorenzo Amoruso headed in a Fernando Ricksen free kick on the hour.
League leaders Rangers, seeking a domestic Treble having already won the League Cup, settled it in the 73rd minute when Motherwell defender David Partridge headed a Ricksen cross into his own net, though Derek Adams did hook in an injury-time consolation.
The second semifinal is on Sunday, also at Hampden, when first division Inverness Caledonian Thistle face premier league Dundee.—Reuters
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