BERLIN, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Goals from David Abraham and Martin Hinteregger secured Eintracht Frankfurt the second win in the third round of Europa League's group stage on Thursday.
The "Eagles" needed two dead ball situations to score against Standard Liege's well-positioned defence. The visitors rewarded their performance in the closing period and reduced the arrears through Selim Amallah.
Both sides focused on their defence from the kick off, meaning that goal scoring opportunities were at premium at both ends of the pitch in the opening period.
Frankfurt eventually broke the deadlock with their first promising chance as Daichi Kamada's cross to the far post found Abraham, who tapped home right footed with 28 minutes into the encounter.
The visitors from Belgium responded well but Amallah was unable to beat Frankfurt goalkeeper Frederik Ronnow before the break.
After the restart, Frankfurt took the reins and should have doubled their lead but for all that Standard Liege custodian Vanja Milinkovic-Savic deflected Goncalo Paciencia's volley to the woodwork with four minutes played in the second half.
The hosts remained in control but lacked in penetration to overcome Liege's bulwark. Adi Hutter's men however doubled their advantage with the second set-piece as Hinteregger nodded home Kamada's corner kick in the 73rd minute.
The second goal was a wakening call for the visitors, who pulled one back through Amallah to spark hopes with nine minutes remaining in the clash.
Liege threw everything up front and pressed Frankfurt into the defence in the dying minutes of the game. Frankfurt almost caught the offensively minded visitors flat-footed on a fast break but Pacience squandered the promising chance to put the result beyond doubt ahead of time.
With the result, Arsenal FC lead Group F with 9 points followed by Frankfurt (6 points), Standard Liege (3 points) and Victoria SC.
