Despite a late consolation goal BATE have made the task of qualifying for the group stages of the UEFA Cup an almost impossible task as they were defeated 4-1 at the El Madrigal stadium, home to Villarreal.

Jon Dahl Tomasson was Villarreal’s experienced striker but it was his strike partner  Kahveci Nihat that would take the credit as he opened the scoring on 5 top give the home team the lead and settle the nerves of the 15,000 fans who came to watch live UEFA Cup football. The Belarusian team had little answer for the dominance and possession of the Spanish hosts who doubled their lead on 17 when midfielder Marcos Senna got himself on the score sheet for his first goal of the season.

The teams went into the break with the home side leading by the 2-0 score line and any chance of BATE making a comeback were dashed quickly as Kahveci Nihat scored his second of the night to give the home team a clear 3 goal cushion. More was to follow as Jon Dahl Tomasson decided to add his name to the score sheet on 55 as the Spanish side took total control of the tie.

BATE made changes shortly after this introducing Maksim Zhavnerchik into an attacking midfield role and this paid off as he scored on 67 to give the visitors a very small glimmer of hope that they could rescue the tie when they host Villarreal at their Horodskiy Stadium in a few weeks time.

The Spaniards of course will be in confident mood for the return leg and will hope to finish off in style by adding more goals to the score sheet but will need to exercise patience as the home crowd will give BATE a huge boost.