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Monday, January 22, 2001
Miller hits four to destroy Fusion

Miami Fusion 1 - 4 Rangers

Rangers eased past Miami Fusion with the minimum of effort, as Kenny Miller rediscovered the scoring touch which has propelled him to the brink of Scotland recognition.

Miller scored all four goals in a 4-1 win at the Lockhart Stadium to ensure a successful conclusion to an incident-packed winter break in Florida.

The 21-year-old opened his account after only three minutes, although he knew very little of the goal as Michael Mols' shot cannoned off his midriff and flew past Fusion keeper Nick Rimando.

The pitch was scarcely conducive to flowing football, with scars and bare strips running for 40 yards down either side. As the wind howled and temperatures fell below 60F, though, Rangers adapted well to the conditions.

Around 1,000 Scots supporters in the 5,487 crowd held their breath as Miller was hurt in a collision with Tyrone Marshall after 13 minutes.

But the striker had recovered sufficiently to double Rangers' advantage in 21 minutes, Mols again the provider after pilfering possession from Jeff Bilyk on the edge of the Fusion penalty area.

Fusion midfielder Jay Heaps had been booked for diving by that stage, although the MLS side enjoyed a rare moment of glory in 26 minutes.

Brazilian striker Welton took a quick free-kick after he had been tripped by Bert Konterman, allowing Andy Williams to rush into the box and beat Stefan Klos from 15 yards.

Only Mols, Miller and Fernando Ricksen retained their places from the side which defeated Uruguay SC 2-0 in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday night.

But despite a more familiar look to the Rangers starting line-up, Ricksen had to make a fine last-man tackle to deny Welton an equaliser in 32 minutes.

Kyle Beckerman was booked for an off-the-ball kick at Rick-sen, with Lorenzo Amoruso and Konterman to join him in the book before half-time.

US captain Claudio Reyna fired a volley across the face of Rimando's goal before the interval, with Rangers having made seven changes on the restart.

Fusion reserve keeper Jeff Cassar then denied Miller before a defence-splitting pass from Allan Johnston presented the striker with his hat-trick.

Miller sped clear from 40 yards out and, although he first effort was blocked by Cassar, he displayed presence of mind to follow in and squeeze the ball home from a tight angle.

Defender Nicola Innocentin, who had a failed trial at Motherwell last season, did enough to prevent Miller from adding to his tally after 66 minutes.

But after two embarrassing misses from Ronald de Boer - the second a header against the bar from two yards with the goal empty - Miller grabbed his fourth in 86 minutes.

Jorg Albertz created space on the left and, when his low cross was dummied by de Boer at the near post, Miller had the simple task of prodding home from close range.

 

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