Team news

McClaren aims for response Steve McClaren will aim to get FC Twente's Europa League campaign back on track when they get the chance to avenge the recent 2-0 defeat by FC Sheriff.

McClaren's side, currently flying high domestically in the Eredivisie, suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat in hostile conditions in Moldova to leave them third in Group H.

Twente began their campaign strongly with a superb 2-1 win away to Turkish giants Fenerbahce - who currently lead the group - and followed it with a draw at home to Steaua Bucharest.

However, they were undone in Tiraspol two weeks ago a goal in each half by Benjamin Balima and Jymmy Franca - the latter in added time - sent them back to Holland empty-handed, while Sheriff moved above Twente into second on goal difference.

Twente, however, have lost just one of their last seven European games at home in Enschede while Sheriff's away record of one win in their last seven on the road does not augur well for the visitors.

Twente go into the match two points clear at the top of the Eredivisie after their 2-1 win over Roda JC at the weekend but McClaren admits he is somewhat concerned about his side's failure to kill off games.

Twente were cruising and 2-0 up at half-time but conceded after the break to endure a nervy finish.

And McClaren said: "We tried to get the third goal and finish off the game but couldn't, we lost control of the game and had to just survive." McClaren recently extended his deal in Enschede until the end of next season after impressing in Holland following his miserable stint as England national team manager.

And he believes Twente is the perfect club for him to fulfil his ambitions.

"FC Twente are an ambitious side and have already shown their ambitions this season," said the former Middlesbrough boss.

FC Twente vs FC Sheriff

Last modified 22:27 05/11/09

Stoch brace inspires Twente Miroslav Stoch's double improved FC Twente's hopes of reaching the last 32 of the Europa League as Sheriff were beaten 2-1.

Stoch had opened the scoring but an own goal midway through the second half from Twente substitute Cheik Tiote appeared to have earned the visitors a point.

However, Stoch struck in the 89th minute at De Grolsch Veste to move Steve McClaren's men three points clear of third-placed Sheriff.

The Moldovan champions were first to threaten but Alexander Erokhin's seventh-minute free-kick - awarded following a foul on him by Stoch - went wide.

The home side took the lead soon after when Stoch picked up the ball and found the net with a right-footed effort from 12 yards.

In the 13th minute Alexey Kuchuk shot wide for the visitors, who threatened again three minutes later through Wilfried Benjamin Balima.

Sheriff, who won the contest between the sides in Moldova 2-0, continued to make most of the running and Vazha Tarkhnishvili saw two free-kicks go wide.

In the 23rd minute Balima fired over from 18 yards, before Blaise Nkufo shot over at the other end two minutes later.

Douglas Franco's 32nd-minute free-kick did not threaten Stanislav Namasco, then Kenneth Perez saw his free-kick go wide.

Perez was replaced by Tiote for the second half, which started quietly but burst into life when the Moldovan champions forced a flurry of corners - which failed to yield a noteworthy chance.

Twente boss Steve McClaren brought off Wout Brama for Nashat Akram - and the hosts came close to doubling their advantage soon after when Bryan Ruiz connected well with Theo Janssen's free-kick, only to see his shot go narrowly wide.

Midfielder Balima made way for striker Amath Diedhiou in the 64th minute as boss Leonid Kuchuk increased his attacking options.

And the Tiraspol side levelled midway through the half, albeit in fortunate circumstances, when Tiote - under pressure to clear - found his own net from close range.

Swiss striker Nkufo shot wide soon after, then Alexandr Suvorov was replaced by Vladimir Volkov as the visitors sought to preserve the point.