Thursday, December 25, 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

From Soccer Or Association Football!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Red Devils Win FIFA Club World Cup Title


At Yokohama, Japan:

Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the match (73') as Manchester United defeated Liga de Quito 1-0 to win the FIFA Club World Cup championship on Sunday. Pictured here are happy Red Devils celebrating their victory with the FIFA Club World Cup trophy.

Foto-Net Image

Gamba Osaka took out Pachuca 1-0 earlier Sunday to win the third-place game.

Friday, December 19, 2008

At Least Chelsea Won't Be Playing Barca In The Round of 16

Here are the matchups for the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League as determined by Friday's draw at Nyon, Switzerland, with the host club of the opening match of the two-game home-and-away sets listed first.

Atletico Madrid vs. FC Porto

Lyon vs. Barcelona

Arsenal vs. AS Roma

Inter Milan vs. Manchester United

Real Madrid vs. Liverpool

Chelsea vs. Juventus

Villarreal vs. Panathinaikos

Sporting vs. Bayern Munich

The opening matches will take place on February 24 and 25, with the return contests on March 10 and 11.

They also held the drawings for the first two knockout rounds of the UEFA Cup on Friday.

Round of 32 matchups with the host club of the opening match listed first:

Paris Saint Germain vs. VfL Wolfsburg

FC Copenhagen vs. Manchester City

NEC Nijmegen vs. Hamburg

Sampdoria vs. Metalist

Sporting Braga vs. Standard de Liege

Aston Villa vs. CSKA Moscow

KKS Lech Poznan vs. Udinese

Olympiacos vs. Saint-Etienne

Fiorentina vs. Ajax Amsterdam

Aalborg BK vs. Deportivo La Coruna

Werder Bremen vs. AC Milan

Bordeaux vs. Galatasaray

Dynamo Kiev vs. Valencia

Zenit Saint Petersburg vs. VfB Stuttgart

Marseille vs. FC Twente

Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Tottenham Hotspur

The fun starts on February 18 and 19 with the return legs on February 26.

Here are the matchups for the Round of 16:

Werder Bremen/AC Milan vs. Olympiacos/Saint-Etienne

Aston Villa/CSKA Moscow vs. Shakhtar Donetsk/Tottenham Hotspur

Lech Poznan/Udinese vs. Zenit Saint Petersburg/VfB Stuttgart

PSG/VfL Wolfsburg vs. Sporting Braga/Standard de Liege

Dynamo Kiev/Valencia vs. Sampdoria/FC Metalist Kharkiv

FC Copenhagen/Manchester City vs Aalborg BK/Deportivo La Coruna

Marseille/FC Twente vs. Fiorentina/Ajax Amsterdam

NEC Nijmegen/Hamburg vs. Bordeuax/Galatasaray

Matchest to be played on March 12 and March 18/19.

Whew!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

More O-League Action

Group stage play in Oceania's Champions League continued last Saturday:

Group A:

At Port Vila, Vanuatu:

Goals from Fedy Vava (OG-8') and Paul Urlovic (70') lifted Auckland City FC to a 2-0 road win over the Port Vila Sharks.

GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. Waitakere United (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 4)
2. Auckland City FC (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS 4)
3. Port Vila Sharks (GP: 2; GD: -5; PTS: 0)

Group B:

At Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea:

Goals courtesy of Osea Vakatalesau (6') and Maciu Dunadamu (84') lifted Ba FC to a 2-1 road win over Hekari Souths United.

GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. Koloale (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
2. Ba FC (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. Hekari Souths United (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 0)

Group stage play will resume on February 14.

UEFA Cup Group Stage, MatchDay #5, Continued

Group stage play in the 2008-09 UEFA Cup concluded Thursday.

Group A:

At Paris:

Peguy Luyindula's double (8', 86') helped propel Paris Saint Germain to a 4-0 home fistbeating of FC Twente to lift the French club into the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup. Despite losing, the Dutch club will also play in the Round of 32.

At Santander, Spain:

Jonathan Pereira (20'), Oscar Serrano (30'), and Juan Valera (54') provided the scoring as Racing Santander defeating visiting Manchester City 3-1. Nevertheless, the Spanish club has been eliminated from European competition, while the Citizens still finished atop Group A.
FINAL GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. Manchester City (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 7)
2. FC Twente (GP: 4; GD: -3; PTS: 6)
3. Paris Saint-Germain (GP: 4; GD: +2; PTS: 5)
4. Racing Santander (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
5. FC Schalke (GP: 4; GD: -1; PTS: 4)

Manchester City, FC Twente, and PSG advanced to the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup.


Group B:

At Athens, Greece:

Four different goal scorers each scored once---Dudu (55'), Luciano Galletti (PK-68'), Vassilis Torosidis (87'), and Diogo Luis Santo (88')---as Olympiacos cracked opened what had been a scoreless deadlock into a 4-0 home frontier-styled fistbeating of Hertha Berlin to lock up a berth in the UEFA Cup's knockout stage.

At Lisbon, Portugal:

Olexandr Rykun scored the only goal of the match as FC Metalist Kharkiv won Group B with a 1-0 road win over eliminated SL Benfica.

FINAL GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. FC Metalist Kharkiv (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2. Galatasaray (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
3. Olympiacos (GP: 4; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
4. Hertha Berlin (GP: 4; GD: -5; PTS: 2)
5. SL Benfica (GP: 4; GD: -7; PTS: 1)

FC Metalist Kharkiv, Galatasaray, and Olympiacos advanced to the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup.

Group C:

At Genoa, Italy:

Jonathan Bottinelli scored the only goal of the match at 75 minutes as Sampdoria locked up a berth in the UEFA Cup knockout stage with a 1-0 home win over Sevilla, and in the process, knocked the two-time cup winners out of the competition.

At Stuttgart, Germany:

Sami Khedira (5'), Roberto Hilbert (49'), and Ciprian Marica (72') each tallied once as VfB Stuttgart laid claim to a UEFA knockout stage berth with a 3-0 home thumping of Standard de Liege, whom, despite losing, still finished atop Group C.

FINAL GROUP C STANDINGS:

1. Standard de Liege (GP: 4; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
2. VfB Stuttgart (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
3. Sampdoria (GP: 4; GD: -1; PTS: 7)
4. Sevilla (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
5. Partizan Belgrade (GP: 4; GD: -7; PTS: 0)

Standard de Liega, VfB Stuttgart, Sampdoria advanced to the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup.

Group D:

At Nijmegen, Netherlands:

Collins John (75') and Jhon van Beukering (78') provided the second-half scoring as NEC Nijmegen clinched a Round of 32 UEFA Cup berth with a 2-0 home win over Udinese (who still finished at the top of Group D).

At London:

Second half goals courtesy of Luka Modric (67') and Tom Huddlestone (74') enabled Tottenham Hotspur to bounce back from a two-goal halftime deficit to gain a 2-2 home stalemate with Spartak Moscow to clinch a berth in the Round of 32 in the UEFA Cup. The Russian club's European campaign has ended.

FINAL GROUP D STANDINGS:

1. Udinese (GP: 4; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
2. Tottenham Hotspur (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
3. NEC Nijmegen (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
4. Spartak Moscow (GP: 4; GD: -1; PTS 4)
5. Dinamo Zagreb (GP: 4; GD: -5; PTS: 3)

Udinese, Tottenham Hotspur, and NEC have advanced to the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup.

The draw for the first two knockout rounds of the UEFA Cup, as well as the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League, will take place on Friday.

FIFA CWC: Red Devils Win Slugfest To Reach Final

At Yokohama, Japan:

Wayne Rooney scored two second-half goals (75',79') and Nemanja Vidic (28'), Cristiano Ronaldo (45'+1), and Darren Fletcher (78') each bagged one as Manchester United defeated Gamba Osaka 5-3 on Thursday to reach Sunday's final of the FIFA Club World Cup. The Red Devils will face Ecuador's Liga de Quito in Sunday's final, also to be played at Yokohama.

In case anybody cared, earlier Thursday, Adelaide United defeated Al Ahly 1-0 in the fifth place game.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

UEFA Cup Group Stage, MatchDay # 5

Matchday #5 in the UEFA Cup commenced on Wednesday.

Group E:

At Portsmouth, England:

Peter Crouch scored twice (40', 42') as Portsmouth defeated visiting SC Heerenveen 3-0 in a battle of the two Group E clubs that wound up their European adventures.

At Milan, Italy:

VfL Wolfsburg, with goals from Cristian Zaccardo (56') and Mahir Saglik (81'), gained a 2-2 road draw with fellow advancers AC Milan to claim top spot in Group E. Massimo Ambrosini (17') and Pato (56') provided the hosts goals.

FINAL GROUP E STANDINGS:

1. VfL Wolfsburg (GP: 4; GD: +6; PTS: 10)
2. AC Milan (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 8)
3. Sporting Braga (GP: 4; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
4. Portsmouth (GP: 4; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
5. SC Heerenveen (GP: 4; GD: -10; PTS: 0)

VfL Wolfsburg, AC Milan, and Sporting Braga advanced to the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup.

Group F:

At Hamburg, Germany:

Ivica Olic scored twice (30', 57') and Mladen Petric once (18') as Hamburg overpowered visiting Aston Villa 3-1 to win Group F.

At Amsterdam, Netherlands:

Luis Suarez scored the late equalizer with his succesful penalty kick (90'+1) as Ajax Amsterdam salvaged a 2-2 home deadlock with Slavia Prague.

FINAL GROUP F STANDINGS:

1. Hamburg (GP: 4; GD: +4; PTS: 9)
2. Ajax Amsterdam (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 7)
3. Aston Villa (GP: 4; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
4. Zilina (GP: 4; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
5. Slavia Prague (GP: 4; GD: -3; PTS: 2)

Hamburg, Ajax, and Aston Villa advanced to the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup.

Group G:

At Bruges, Belgium:

Cesar Santin scored the only goal of the match (58') as FC Copenhagen defeated hosts Club Brugge 1-0 to claim a berth in the UEFA Cup group stage, eliminating the Belgian club in the process.

At Saint-Etienne, France:

In a contest involving two clubs heading for the UEFA Cup's Round of 32, Saint-Etienne locked up the top spot in Group G with a 2-2 home draw with Valencia. Ilan scored both of the hosts goals (29', 44'), while the Spanish club got tallies from Fernando Morientes (33') and Nikola Zigic (72').

FINAL GROUP G STANDINGS:

1. Saint-Etienne (GP: 4; GD: +5; PTS: 8)
2. Valencia (GP: 4; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
3. FC Copenhagen (GP: 4; GD: -1; PTS: 5)
4. Club Brugge (GP: 4; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
5. Rosenborg (GP: 4; GD: -7; PTS: 1)

Saint-Etienne, Valencia, and FC Copenhagen advanced to the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup.

Group H:

At La Coruna, Spain:

Rodolfo Bodipo's goal at 74 minutes lifted Deportivo La Coruna to a 1-0 home win over AS Nancy, sending the Spanish club into the UEFA Cup knockout stage and eliminating the French club from European competition.

At Rotterdam, Netherlands:

KKS Lech Poznan won their way into the Final 32 of the UEFA Cup with their 1-0 road win over Feyenoord, who lost all four of their group stage encounters. Ivan Djurdjevic scored the game's lone tally at 27 minutes.

FINAL GROUP H STANDINGS:

1. CSKA Moscow (GP: 4; GD: +7; PTS: 12)
2. Deportivo La Coruna (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 7)
3. KKS Lech Poznan (GP: 4; GD: 0; PTS: 5)
4. AS Nancy (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
5. Feyenoord Rotterdam (GP: 4; GD: -9; PTS: 0)

CSKA Moscow, Deportivo La Coruna, and KKS Lech Poznan advanced to the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup.

Group stage play concludes Thursday, with the draw for the rounds of 32 and 16 of the UEFA Cup and the round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League on Friday.

FIFA CWC: Liga de Quito Smother Pachuca To Gain Berth In Final

At Tokyo:

First-half goals from Claudio Bieler (4') and Luis Bolanos (26') paced Liga de Quito to a 2-0 semifinal victory over Mexico's Pachuca Wednesday night to reach Sunday's final of the FIFA Club World Cup against the winner of Thursday's Manchester United-Gamba Osaka match.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Terps Blank Tar Heels For NCAA Crown

At Frisco, Texas:

Graham Zusi's goal, almost midway through the second half, lifted Maryland to a 1-0 victory over ACC rival North Carolina to win the men's NCAA national soccer championship on Sunday.

The title was the Terrapins' second in four years, and spoiled the Tar Heels' shot at sweeping the men's and women's titles. The UNC gals defeated Notre Dame last weekend for the women's crown.


FIFA CWC: Yasuhito Endo Sends Gamba Osaka Into Semifinal Matchup With Man U

At Tokyo:

Yasuhito Endo's goal at 23 minutes stood up as Gamba Osaka defeated Austrialia's Adelaide United 1-0 to reach the semifinal round of the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Japanese club will next face Manchester United on Thursday in Yokohama, Japan.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

FIFA CWC: Roaring Comeback Places Pachuca In Semis

At Tokyo:

Christian Gimenez scored twice on Saturday (73', 100') as Pachuca overcame a two-goal halftime deficit to defeat Egypt's Al Ahly 4-2 in overtime in the quarterfinal round of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Next for the Mexican club, a semifinal clash with Liga de Quito of Ecuador this coming Wednesday.


Thursday, December 11, 2008

Travis Dodd Goal Lifts Adelaide United Over Kiwi Club To Open FIFA CWC

At Tokyo:

Travis Dodd scored the game-winning goal at 83 minutes as Adelaide United defeated New Zealand's Waitakere United 2-1 on Thursday in a come-from-behind triumph in the opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Next for the Australian club, a match on Sunday against the club that defeated them for the AFC Champions League title, Japan's Gamba Osaka.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

UEFA CL Group H: Home Draw Lock Up Group Title For Juve

Group H play in the UEFA Champions League concluded Wednesday.

At Turin, Italy:

Despite being held to a 0-0 stalemate by already-eliminated-from-European-competition BATE
Borisov, Juventus still locked up first place in Group H. Juve's Sebastian Giovinco is pictured here firing a free kick over the crossbar. The Belorussian club managed to gain a draw in both games against The Grand Old Lady.

At Madrid:

The Juande Ramos (ex-Tottenham Hotspur manager) regime at Real Madrid got off on the right foo
t as the hosts overpowered UEFA Cup Final 32-bound Zenit Saint Petersburg 3-0. Raul Gonzalez (25', he's seen here celebrating, 57') and Arjen Robben (50') provided the scoring for the Group H runners-up.

FINAL GROUP H STANDINGS:

1. Juventus (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 12)
2. Real Madrid (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 12)
3. Zenit Saint Petersburg (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 5)
4. BATE Borisov (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 3)

Juventus and Real Madrid advanced to the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League. Juventus took both matches against Real Madrid.
Zenit Saint Petersburg, who won last season's UEFA Cup, will get a chance to win it again this year as they finish third in the group and qualified for the UEFA Cup's knockout stage.
BATE Borisov? Eliminated from European competition.


Both Photos © Getty Images

UEFA CL Group G: Dragons Beat Gunners To Win Group G; Dynamo Kiev Lock Up UEFA Cup Round of 32 Spot

Wednesday UEFA Champions League action in Group G:

At Porto, Portugal:

Thanks to goals from Bruno Alves (39', he's seen here celebrating) and Lisandro (54'), FC Porto defeated visiting Arsenal 2-0 to capture Group G. Both the Dragons and Gunners had already locked up berths in the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League.

At K
iev, Ukraine:

Dynamo Kiev locke
d up a berth in the UEFA Cup with a 1-0 home win over Fenerbahce. Roman Eremenko (seen here celebrating) scored the game's lone goal at 20 minutes.

FINAL GROUP G STANDINGS:

1. FC Porto (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 12)
2. Arsenal (GP: 6; GD: +6; PTS: 11)
3. Dynamo Kiev (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 8)
4. Fenerbahce (GP: 6; GD: -7; PTS: 2)

FC Porto and Arsenal advanced to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
Dynamo Kiev qualified for the group stage of the UEFA Cup.
Fenerbahce eliminated from European competition.


Both Photos © Getty Images

UEFA CL Group F: Bayern Top Lyon To Win Group; Fiorentina Lock Up UEFA Cup Berth

Wednesday play in Group F of the UEFA Champions League:

At Bucharest, Romania:

Alberto Gilardino's goal at 66 minutes was all the At needed as the Italian club defeated Steaua Bucharest on the road 1-0 to lock up a berth in the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup. Two of Alberto's teammates, Adrian Mutu and Felipe Mel
o battle with Steaua's Eugen Baciu for a high ball, as seen here. No NOT that highball.

At Lyon, France:

In a battle of clubs that will be playing in the UEFA Champions League's knockout rounds, first-half goals from Miroslav Klose (11', 37', he's seen here celebrating) and Franck Ribery (34') enabled Bayern Munich to hold off hosts Lyon 3-2 to win Group F.

FINAL GROUP F STANDINGS:

1. Bayern Munich (GP: 6; GD: +8; PTS: 14)
2. Lyon (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 11)
3. Fiorentina (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 6)
4. Steaua Bucharest (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 1)

Bayern Munich and Lyon advanced to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage.
Fiorentina qualified for the UEFA Cup knockout stage.
Steaua Bucharest eliminated from European competition.


Both Photos © Getty Images

UEFA Champions League, MatchDay # 6, Group E: Despite Draw With AaB, Red Devils Win Group

Group stage play in the UEFA Champions League concluded Wednesday.

Group A:

At Manchester, England:

With goals from Carlos Tevez (3') and Wayne Rooney (52'), Manchester Uni
ted locked up first place in Group A as they salvaged a 2-2 home draw with UEFA Cup-bound Aalborg BK. Michael Jakobsen (31') and Jeppe Curth (45'+2, he's seen here celebrating) tallied for the visiting Danish club.

At Glasgow, Scotland:

Celtic wrapped up their European campaign with a 2-0 home win over UCL knockout stage-bound Villarreal. Shaun Maloney (14', he's seen here celebrating) and Aiden McGeady (45'+2) each scored once for the Bhoys.

FINAL GROUP E STANDINGS:

1. Manchester United (GP: 6; GD: +6; PTS: 10)
2. Villarreal (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
3. Aalborg BK (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 6)
4. Celtic FC (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 5)

Mancester United and Villarreal qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage.
Aalborg BK qualified for the UEFA Cup knockout stage.
Celtic eliminated from European competition.

Both Photos © Getty Images

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

UEFA CL Group D: Liverpool Pip Atletico For Top Of Group D; Marseille To UEFA Cup Round Of 32; PSV Done

Gee, what happened in Group D on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League?

At Eindhoven, Netherlands:

With goals from Ryan Babel (45'+2, he's seen afterwards celebrating with Lucas, Robbie Keane, and Alvaro Arbeloa), Albert Riera (68'), and David N'Go
g (77'), Liverpool overcame PSV Eindhoven 3-1 on the road to win Group D. The Dutch power's European campaign came to an inglorious end.

At Marseille, France:

Despite being held to a 0-0 home stalemate by Atletico Madrid (who finished second in Group D), Marseille will play in the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup. Here, we see Atletico's Ever Banega running into a wall of Marseille defenders.

FINAL GROUP D STANDINGS:

1. Liverpool (GP: 6; GD: +6; PTS: 14)
2. Atletico Madrid (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 12)
3. Marseille (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 4)
4. PSV Eindhoven (GP: 6: GD: -9; PTS: 3)

Liverpool and Atletico Madrid advanced to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage.
Marseille qualified for the UEFA Cup knockout stage.
PSV Eindhoven eliminated from European competition.

Both Photos © Getty Images

UEFA CL Group C, MatchDay #5: Barca Win Group C

Group C play in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday:

A
t Basel, Switzerland:

Yannick
Djalo provided the only goal of the match (19', he's seen here celebrating in the snow) as Sporting blanked punchless FC Basel 1-0 on the road. The Portuguese Lions have already sewn up a knockout stage spot.

At Barcelona:

Despite losing 3-2 at home to Shakhtar Donetsk, Barcelona had already sewn up first place in Group C, while the Ukrainian club had already been
locked into a spot in the UEFA Cup Round of 32. Olexandr Gladkiy scored twice (31', 58', he's seen here celebrating with teammates after the second goal) and Fernandinho once (76') for the visitors.

FINAL GROUP C STANDINGS:

1. Barcelona (GP: 6; GD: +10; PTS: 13)
2. Sporting (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 12)
3. Shakhtar Donetsk (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 9)
4. FC Basel (GP: 6; GD: -14; PTS: 1)

Barcelona and Sporting advanced to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage.
Shakhtar Donetsk qualified for the UEFA Cup knockout stage.
FC Basel eliminated from European competition.

Both Photos © Getty Images

UEFA CL Group B: Panathinaikos Join Inter In Sweet 16; Werder To UEFA Cup; Anorthosis European Campaign Ends

Group B Tuesday play in the UEFA Champions League:

At Athens:

Giorgos Karagounis provided the game's only goal (69') as Panathinaikos, who had only one d
raw in their first three group stage matches, collected their third straight win in the competition, 1-0 at home over Anorthosis Famagusta FC, to not only lock up a knockout stage berth, but win Group B in the process. Pictured here are happy Panathinaikos players and fans celebrating. For the Cypriot club, the loss, coupled with Werder Bremen's win over Inter Milan, ended their European campaign.

At Bremen, Germany:

Werder Bremen defeating visiting (and UCL knockout stage-bound) Inter Milan 2-1 to claim a spot in the UEFA Cup knockout rounds. Claudio Pizarro (63', seen here celebrating) and Markus Rosenberg (81') provided the goals for Werder.

FINAL GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. Panathinaikos (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 10)
2. Inter Milan (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 8)
3. Werder Bremen (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 7)
4. Anorthosis Famagusta FC (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 6)

Panathinaikos and Inter Milan advanced to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage.
Werder Bremen qualified for the UEFA Cup knockout stage.
Anorthosis Famagusta FC eliminated from European competition.

Both Photos © Getty Images

UEFA CL Group Stage, MatchDay #6, Group A: Roma and Chelsea Lock Up Knockout Stage Berths

Tuesday marked the opening of MatchDay #6 in UEFA Champions League group stage play:

Group A:

At London:

Goals from Salomon Kalou (40') and Didier Drogba (71', he's seen here celebrating) lifted Chelsea to a 2-1 home win over CFR Cluj to lock up a berth in the knockout stage.

At Rome:

Powered by second-half tallies courtesy of Matteo Brighi (61') and Francesco Totti (79', he's seen here celebratin
g the former's earlier goal), AS Roma won Group A (and a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 berth) with a 2-0 home win over Bordeaux. The French club will settle for a UEFA Cup knockout stage berth.

FINAL GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. AS Roma (GP: 6; GD: +6; PTS: 12)
2. Chelsea (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 11)
3. Bordeaux (GP: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 7)
4. CFR Cluj (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 4)

AS Roma and Chelsea advanced to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage.
Bordeaux qualified for the UEFA Cup knockout stage.
CFR Cluj eliminated from European Competition

Both Photos © Getty Images

Thursday, December 04, 2008

UEFA Cup Group Stage, MatchDay # 4, Continued: Wolfsburg, Braga, Hamburg, Villa, Valencia Claim Knockout Round Berths; Pompey Eliminated

Eight more games were played on Thursday in UEFA Cup group stage action.

Group E:

At Wolfsburg, Germany:

Edin Dzeko (3'), Christian Gentner (23'), and Zvjezden Misimovic (74') provided the goals as VfL Wolfsburg came back from an early 2-1 deficit to defeat visiting Portsmouth 3-2 to lock up a berth in the knockout stage. The loss eliminated Pompey from European competition.

At Heerenveen, Netherlands:

Sporting Braga locked up a Round of 32 berth with a 2-1 road win over SC Heerenveen. Renteria (35') and Luis Aguiar (56') each tallied once for the winners.

GROUP E STANDINGS:

1. VfL Wolfsburg* (GP: 3; GD: +6; PTS: 9)
2. AC Milan* (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
3. Sporting Braga* (GP: 4; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
4. Portsmouth# (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 1)
5. SC Heerenveen# (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 0)

*Advanced to UEFA Cup knockout stage
#Eliminated from European conpetition

Group F:

At Prague, Czech Republic:

Goals from Ivica Olic (30') and Mladen Petric (PK-90'+4) lifted Hamburg to a 2-0 road win over Slavia Prague that clinched a knockout stage berth for the German club while eliminating the Czech club from European competition.

At Birmingham, England:

Vladimir Leitner (16') and Peter Styvar (19') each tallied once as MSK Zilina stunned Aston Villa on the road 2-0. Nevertheless, the Slovakian club was still eliminated from European competition while the Villans still advanced to the knockout stage.

GROUP F STADINGS:

1. Hamburg* (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Aston Villa* (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
3. Ajax Amsterdam* (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
4. MSK Zilina# (GP: 4; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
5. Slavia Prague# (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)

*Advanced to UEFA Cup knockout stage
#Eliminated from European competition

Group G:

AT Valencia, Spain:
Nikola Zigic's equalizer at 60 minutes enabled Valencia to advance to the knockout stage with a 1-1 home deadlock with Club Brugge. Antolin Alcaraz scored at 18 minutes for the Belgium club.

At Mikael Antonsson's late equalizer (85') lifted FC Copenhagen to a 1-1 home stalemate with Rosenborg to keep their shot advancing to the knockout stage alive, while eliminating the Norwegian club from European competition.

GROUP G STANDINGS:

1. Saint-Etienne* (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 7)
2. Valencia* (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 5)
3. Club Brugge (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. FC Copenhagen (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 2)
5. Rosenborg# (GP: 4; GD: -7; PTS: 2)

*Advanced to the UEFA Cup group stage
#Eliminated from European competition

Group H:

At Poznan, Poland:

Hernan Rengifo's 42nd-minute equalizer lifted KKS Lech Poznan to a 1-1 home deadlock with Deportivo La Coruna that kept both clubs alive for a shot at advancing to the knockout stage. Diego Colotto put the Spanish club ahead early with his goal at 2 minutes.

At Nancy, France:

Vagner Love's hat trick (23', 62', 88') lifted CSKA Moscow to a 4-3 road win over AS Nancy to become only the fifth club to finish group stage play with a maximum of 12 points. Despite the loss, the French club still has a shot at advancing to the knockout stage.

GROUP G STANDINGS:

1. CSKA Moscow** (GP: 4; GD: +7; PTS: 12)
2. AS Nancy (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
3. Deportivo La Coruna (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
4. KKS Lech Poznan (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 2)
5. Feyenoord Rotterdam# (GP: 3; GD: -8; PTS: 0)

**Won group and advanced to the UEFA Cup group stage
#Eliminated from European competition

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

UEFA Cup Group Stage, MatchDay # 4: FC Twente, Metalist, Galatasaray, Standard de Liege, Udinese Clinch Knockout Round Berths

Wednesday marked the opening of MatchDay #4 in UEFA Cup group stage play.

Group A:

At Manchester, England:

Visiting Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City played to a 0-0 draw. The Citizens have already clinched a berth in the knockout stage, which starts in February with the Round of 32.

At Enschede, Netherlands:

Thanks to goals from Rob Wielaert (2') and Kenneth Perez (54'), FC Twente locked up a knockout stage berth with a 2-1 home win over FC Schalke 04.

GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. Manchester City* (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
2. FC Twente* (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
3. FC Schalke 04 (GP: 4; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
4. Racing Santander (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 2)
5. Paris Saint-Germain (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 2)

*Advanced to the UEFA Cup knockout stage

Group B:

At Kharkov, Ukraine:

Edmar scored the game's lone goal at 88 minutes as FC Metalist Kharkiv clinched a knockout round berth with a 1-0 home win over Olympiacos.

At Berlin:

Milan Baros' successful 69th-minute penalty kick sealed a knockout round berth for Galatasary as they won 1-0 on the road over Hertha Berlin.

GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. Galatasaray* (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
2. FC Metalist Kharkiv* (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
3. Olympiacos (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
4. SL Benfica (GP: 3; GD: -6; PTS: 1)

*Advanced to UEFA Cup knockout stage

Group C:

At Liege, Belgium:

Royal Standard de Liege, powered by goals from Igor De Camargo (23'), Oguchi Oneywu (35'), and Milan Jovanovic (43'), sealed a spot in the Round of 32 with their 3-0 pasting of visiting Sampdoria.

At Seville, Spain:

Luis Fabiano's double (PK-32', 73') helped lift Sevilla to a 3-0 home beatdown of playing-out-the-string Partizan Belgrade.

GROUP C STANDINGS:

1. Standard de Liege* (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 9)
2. Sevilla (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
3. VfB Stuttgart (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
4. Sampdoria (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 4)
5. Partizan Belgrade# (GP: 4; GD: -7; PTS: 0)

*Advanced to UEFA Cup group stage
#Eliminated from European competition

Group D:

At Moscow:

Thanks to goals in the waning minutes courtesy of Jhon van Beukering (84') and Lasse Schone (87') lifted NEC Nijmegen to a 2-1 come-from-behing road win over Spartak Moscow.

At Udine, Italy:

Fabio Quagliarella (5') and Christian Obodo (78') provided the scoring as Udinese locked up a knockout stage berth at home by beating Dinamo Zagreb 2-1, as the Croatian club's European campaign ended.

GROUP D STANDINGS:

1. Udinese* (GP: 3; GD: +6; PTS: 9)
2. Tottenham Hotspur (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
3. NEC Nijmegen (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. Spartak Moscow (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
5. Dinamo Zagreb# (GP: 4; GD: -5; PTS: 3)

*Advanced to UEFA Cup knockout stage
#Eliminated from European competition