Nana Asare nets in Europa play-off

Ghanaian defender Nana Akwasi-Asare scored on Thursday night to hand FC Utrecht the advantage in their Dutch League Europa play-off with a 3-1 victory over FC Groningen.

Left-back Asare added the second goal for Utrecht in the 23rd minute with a shot from the right high inside the net.

Ricky van Wolfswinkel had opened the scoring a minute earlier.

Tim Matavz pulled one back five minutes before the break, but Andreas Granqvist put through his own net to deal Groningen a sucker punch in the last minute.

The second leg will be played on Sunday.