Dundee 4
Vllaznia Shkodër 0
UEFA Cup (Qualifying Round 2nd Leg)

Match Report

Nacho Novo's second double in two games helped Dundee complete their expected passage into the first round proper of the Uefa Cup.

Other strikes from Juan Sara and Gavin Rae made sure it was a joyous return to Uefa Cup action at Dens Park after a gap of 30 years.

Dundee had done the hard work by winning 2-0 on their visit to a club that has been in financial disarray since the shooting dead of their president more than a month ago.

The Dark Blues were without striker Fabian Caballero, who is currently serving a three-match suspension as a result of a red card in an Intertoto Cup defeat by Yugoslavian side Sartid in 2000.

Vllaznia Shkoder had been blighted by financial troubles and had to call upon a consortium of local businessmen to underwrite their £150,000 debt and ensure that the tie went ahead.

Manager Medin Zhega travelled to Scotland minus three of the players who faced Dundee in the first leg after they were sold in a bid to raise much-needed revenue.

Defender Bledar Devolli and midfielders Sokol Oshka and Bledar Mansaku have since left the club and were replaced by Llir Dibra, Erjon Hoti and Frank Ahi.

And Dundee immediately stamped their authority on the game and ended the tie as a contest within two minutes of the start.

Beto Carranza, whose Dundee appearances have been limited by a cruciate ligament injury, played a delightful ball through the heart of the Albanian defence for Novo.

The Spaniard added to the goal he grabbed in the first leg by sprinting clear of the defence and slamming the ball past the exposed Armir Grima.

Barry Smith then threatened with a volley from the edge of the area, but his shot cannoned back off the post with the goalkeeper scrambling.

Vllaznia tried gamely to get back into the match and showed flashes of skill, with attacking midfielder Edi Martini particularly impressive.

But the forced introduction of striker Sara for the injured Carranza in the 40th minute was significant.

The South American took only 60 seconds to make an impact, slamming the ball home from point-blank range following a Jonay Hernandez cross.

Dundee added the third goal within five minutes of the restart.

Rae gathered a clearance 25 yards from goal and unleashed a ferocious volley over the goalkeeper and into the net.

Yioresin Sinani almost gave Vllaznia a consolation goal midway through the second half when he beat three Dundee defenders but saw his drive strike the wrong side of the post.

But Novo, who scored twice against Livingston at the weekend, lobbed Grimaj to increase Dundee's lead with a minute remaining.

Match report written by BBC