From Soccer Or Association Football!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 locked 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
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 locked 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 Melo 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
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 Melo 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 United 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
Group A:
At Manchester, England:
With goals from Carlos Tevez (3') and Wayne Rooney (52'), Manchester United 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'Gog (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
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'Gog (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
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
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
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
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
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
Thursday, November 27, 2008
UEFA Cup Group Stage, MatchDay #3: Citizens, Rossoneri, Saint-Etienne, CSKA Clinch Knockout Stage Berths
Matchday #3 in group stage play in the UEFA Cup took place on Thursday with 16 contests.
Group A:
At Gelsenkirchen, Germany:
Benjani Mwaruwari (32') and Stephen Ireland (66') provided the scoring punch that lifted Manchester City to a 2-0 road win over Schalke to lock up a berth in the knockout stage (which begins in February with the round of 32).
At Paris:
Gonzalo Colsa provided the equalizer at 55 minutes to lift Racing Santander back from a two-goal deficit to gain a 2-2 road draw with PSG.
GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. Manchester City* (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
2. Schalke (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
3. FC Twente (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Racing Santander (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 2)
5. Paris Saint-Germain (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
*Advanced to the UEFA Cup knockout stage
Group B:
At Istanbul, Turkey:
Edmar scored the only goal of the match at 81 minutes as visiting FC Metalist Kharkiv defeated Galatasaray 1-0.
At Athens, Greece:
Diogo Luis Santo's double (24', 53') was just part of an offensive barrage that lifted Olympiacos to a 5-1 home win over SL Benfica.
GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. Galatasaray (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. FC Metalist Kharkiv (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. Olympiacos (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 3)
4. Hertha Berlin (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
5. SL Benfica (GP: 3; GD: -6; PTS: 1)
Group C:
At Genoa, Italy:
Visiting VfB Stuttgart and Sampdoria battled to a 1-1 deadlock. Ciprian Marica scored at 8 minutes for VfB, but the Genoan club's Paolo Sammarco knocked in the equalizer at 39 minutes.
At Belgrade, Serbia:
Igor De Camargo provided the only goal of the match (36') as Standard de Liege eliminated Partizan Belgrade from European competition with a 1-0 road triumph.
GROUP C STADINGS:
1. Standard de Liege (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Sampdoria (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. VfB Stuttgart (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
4. Sevilla (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
5. Partizan Belgrade# (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 0)
#Eliminated from European Competition
Group D:
At Nijmegen, Netherlands:
Jamie O'Hara's goal at 14 minutes held as Tottenham Hotspur moved closer to a UEFA Cup knockout stage berth with a 1-0 road win over NEC Nijmegen.
At Zagreb, Croatia:
Ivan Saenko provided the game's lone score (75') as Spartak Moscow defeated Dinamo Zagreb on the road 1-0.
GROUP D STANDINGS:
1. Tottenham Hotspur (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
2. Udinese (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
3. Spartak Moscow (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Dinamo Zagreb (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 3)
5. NEC Nijmegen (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
Group E:
At Portsmouth, England:
Goals late in the second half from Ronaldinho (84') and Filippo Inzaghi (90'+2) lifted AC Milan from a two-goal deficit and gain a 2-2 road draw with Portsmouth, enabling the Rossoneri to claim a spot in the Round of 32. Younes Kaboul (62') and Mwankwo Kanu (73') each scored a second half tally for Pompey.
At Braga, Portugal:
Zvjezdan Misimovic's late second-half double (PK-83', 90'+4) pulled visiting VfL Wolfsburg to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Sporting Braga.
GROUP E STANDINGS:
1. AC Milan* (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
2. VfL Wolfsburg (GP: 2; GD: +5; PTS: 6)
3. Sporting Braga (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
4. Portsmouth (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
5. SC Heerenveen (GP: 2; GD: -6; PTS: 0)
Group F:
At Zilina, Slovakia:
Visiting Slavia Prague and MSK Zilina battled to a 0-0 stalemate.
At Hamburg, Germany:
Leonardo scored the only goal of the match (77') as Ajax Amsterdam shut out hosts Hamburg 1-0.
GROUP F STANDINGS:
1. Aston Villa (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Ajax Amsterdam (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
3. Hamburg (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Slavia Prague (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
5. MSK Zilina (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
Group G:
At Bruges, Belgium:
Saint-Etienne locked up a berth in the knockout stage with a 1-1 road draw with Club Brugge. David Gigliotti put the French club ahead at 44 minutes before the hosts' Ronald Vargas equalized in the 50th minute.
At Trondheim, Norway:
Four different goal scorers---Juan Mata (21'), Pablo Hernandez (76'), Ruben Baraja (88'), and Joaquin (90')---each tallied once as Valencia belted Rosenborg on the road 4-0. The Spanish club got their revenge on their Norwegian hosts, who beat them twice in group stage play in last year's Champions League.
GROUP G STADINGS:
1. Saint-Etienne* (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 7)
2. Valencia (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 4)
3. Club Brugge (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
4. FC Copenhagen (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
5 Rosenborg (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 1)
* Advanced to the UEFA Cup group stage
Group H:
At Moscow:
Goals courtesy of Alan Dzagoev (31') and Yuri Zhirkov (45'+1) enabled CSKA Moscow to hold off Poland's KKS Lech Poznan 2-1 and claim a berth in the UEFA Cup knockout stage.
At La Coruna, Spain:
Alberto Lopo (30') and Andres Guardado (51') each scored a goal to help lift Deportivo La Coruna to a 3-0 home win over Feyenoord Rotterdam, knocking the Dutch club out of European competition.
GROUP H STANDINGS:
1. CSKA Moscow* (GP: 3; GD: +6; PTS: 9)
2. AS Nancy (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 4)
3. Deportivo La Coruna (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. KKS Lech Poznan (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
5. Feyenoord Rotterdam# (GP: 3; GD: -8; PTS: 0)
*Advanced to the UEFA Cup knockout stage
#Eliminated from European competition
Group A:
At Gelsenkirchen, Germany:
Benjani Mwaruwari (32') and Stephen Ireland (66') provided the scoring punch that lifted Manchester City to a 2-0 road win over Schalke to lock up a berth in the knockout stage (which begins in February with the round of 32).
At Paris:
Gonzalo Colsa provided the equalizer at 55 minutes to lift Racing Santander back from a two-goal deficit to gain a 2-2 road draw with PSG.
GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. Manchester City* (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
2. Schalke (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
3. FC Twente (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Racing Santander (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 2)
5. Paris Saint-Germain (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
*Advanced to the UEFA Cup knockout stage
Group B:
At Istanbul, Turkey:
Edmar scored the only goal of the match at 81 minutes as visiting FC Metalist Kharkiv defeated Galatasaray 1-0.
At Athens, Greece:
Diogo Luis Santo's double (24', 53') was just part of an offensive barrage that lifted Olympiacos to a 5-1 home win over SL Benfica.
GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. Galatasaray (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. FC Metalist Kharkiv (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. Olympiacos (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 3)
4. Hertha Berlin (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
5. SL Benfica (GP: 3; GD: -6; PTS: 1)
Group C:
At Genoa, Italy:
Visiting VfB Stuttgart and Sampdoria battled to a 1-1 deadlock. Ciprian Marica scored at 8 minutes for VfB, but the Genoan club's Paolo Sammarco knocked in the equalizer at 39 minutes.
At Belgrade, Serbia:
Igor De Camargo provided the only goal of the match (36') as Standard de Liege eliminated Partizan Belgrade from European competition with a 1-0 road triumph.
GROUP C STADINGS:
1. Standard de Liege (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Sampdoria (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. VfB Stuttgart (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
4. Sevilla (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
5. Partizan Belgrade# (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 0)
#Eliminated from European Competition
Group D:
At Nijmegen, Netherlands:
Jamie O'Hara's goal at 14 minutes held as Tottenham Hotspur moved closer to a UEFA Cup knockout stage berth with a 1-0 road win over NEC Nijmegen.
At Zagreb, Croatia:
Ivan Saenko provided the game's lone score (75') as Spartak Moscow defeated Dinamo Zagreb on the road 1-0.
GROUP D STANDINGS:
1. Tottenham Hotspur (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
2. Udinese (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
3. Spartak Moscow (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Dinamo Zagreb (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 3)
5. NEC Nijmegen (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
Group E:
At Portsmouth, England:
Goals late in the second half from Ronaldinho (84') and Filippo Inzaghi (90'+2) lifted AC Milan from a two-goal deficit and gain a 2-2 road draw with Portsmouth, enabling the Rossoneri to claim a spot in the Round of 32. Younes Kaboul (62') and Mwankwo Kanu (73') each scored a second half tally for Pompey.
At Braga, Portugal:
Zvjezdan Misimovic's late second-half double (PK-83', 90'+4) pulled visiting VfL Wolfsburg to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Sporting Braga.
GROUP E STANDINGS:
1. AC Milan* (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
2. VfL Wolfsburg (GP: 2; GD: +5; PTS: 6)
3. Sporting Braga (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
4. Portsmouth (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
5. SC Heerenveen (GP: 2; GD: -6; PTS: 0)
Group F:
At Zilina, Slovakia:
Visiting Slavia Prague and MSK Zilina battled to a 0-0 stalemate.
At Hamburg, Germany:
Leonardo scored the only goal of the match (77') as Ajax Amsterdam shut out hosts Hamburg 1-0.
GROUP F STANDINGS:
1. Aston Villa (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Ajax Amsterdam (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
3. Hamburg (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Slavia Prague (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
5. MSK Zilina (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
Group G:
At Bruges, Belgium:
Saint-Etienne locked up a berth in the knockout stage with a 1-1 road draw with Club Brugge. David Gigliotti put the French club ahead at 44 minutes before the hosts' Ronald Vargas equalized in the 50th minute.
At Trondheim, Norway:
Four different goal scorers---Juan Mata (21'), Pablo Hernandez (76'), Ruben Baraja (88'), and Joaquin (90')---each tallied once as Valencia belted Rosenborg on the road 4-0. The Spanish club got their revenge on their Norwegian hosts, who beat them twice in group stage play in last year's Champions League.
GROUP G STADINGS:
1. Saint-Etienne* (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 7)
2. Valencia (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 4)
3. Club Brugge (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
4. FC Copenhagen (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
5 Rosenborg (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 1)
* Advanced to the UEFA Cup group stage
Group H:
At Moscow:
Goals courtesy of Alan Dzagoev (31') and Yuri Zhirkov (45'+1) enabled CSKA Moscow to hold off Poland's KKS Lech Poznan 2-1 and claim a berth in the UEFA Cup knockout stage.
At La Coruna, Spain:
Alberto Lopo (30') and Andres Guardado (51') each scored a goal to help lift Deportivo La Coruna to a 3-0 home win over Feyenoord Rotterdam, knocking the Dutch club out of European competition.
GROUP H STANDINGS:
1. CSKA Moscow* (GP: 3; GD: +6; PTS: 9)
2. AS Nancy (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 4)
3. Deportivo La Coruna (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. KKS Lech Poznan (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
5. Feyenoord Rotterdam# (GP: 3; GD: -8; PTS: 0)
*Advanced to the UEFA Cup knockout stage
#Eliminated from European competition
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Oceania Has A Champions League, Too
Group stage play in the Oceania Champions League, commonly referred to as the "O-League" resumed this past Saturday:
Pool A:
At Waitakere City, New Zealand:
Waitakere United smothered visiting Port Vila Sharks (Vanuatu) 3-0. Roy Krishna scored twice for the hosts.
POOL A STANDINGS:
1. Waitakere United (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 4)
2. Auckland City FC (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
3. Port Vila Sharks (GP: 1; GD: -3; PTS: 0)
Pool B:
At Honiara, Solomon Islands:
Koloale FC defeated the visiting Hekari Souths (Papua New Guinea) 3-1. Richard Anisua scored once (PK-36') as did Nicholas Muri (38') for the hosts.
POOL B STANDINGS:
1. Koloale FC (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
2. Ba FC (Fiji) (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
3. Hekari Souths (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
Pool A:
At Waitakere City, New Zealand:
Waitakere United smothered visiting Port Vila Sharks (Vanuatu) 3-0. Roy Krishna scored twice for the hosts.
POOL A STANDINGS:
1. Waitakere United (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 4)
2. Auckland City FC (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
3. Port Vila Sharks (GP: 1; GD: -3; PTS: 0)
Pool B:
At Honiara, Solomon Islands:
Koloale FC defeated the visiting Hekari Souths (Papua New Guinea) 3-1. Richard Anisua scored once (PK-36') as did Nicholas Muri (38') for the hosts.
POOL B STANDINGS:
1. Koloale FC (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
2. Ba FC (Fiji) (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
3. Hekari Souths (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage: Brian Ching Goal Sends Dynamo To Quarterfinals
Group stage action in the CONCACAF Champions League concluded on Wednesday night.
Group B:
At Houston:
Brian Ching provided the game's only goal (13') as the Houston Dynamo defeated visiting Luis Angel Firpo (El Salvador) 1-0 to lock up a berth in the quarterfinal round.
FINAL GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. UNAM Pumas (GP: 6; GD: +11; PTS: 12)
2. Houston Dynamo (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 9)
3. L. A. Firpo (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 8)
4. San Francisco FC (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 2)
The Houston Dynamo and Mexico's UNAM Pumas advanced to the quarterfinal round of the CONCACAF Champions League
Group B:
At Houston:
Brian Ching provided the game's only goal (13') as the Houston Dynamo defeated visiting Luis Angel Firpo (El Salvador) 1-0 to lock up a berth in the quarterfinal round.
FINAL GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. UNAM Pumas (GP: 6; GD: +11; PTS: 12)
2. Houston Dynamo (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 9)
3. L. A. Firpo (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 8)
4. San Francisco FC (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 2)
The Houston Dynamo and Mexico's UNAM Pumas advanced to the quarterfinal round of the CONCACAF Champions League
UEFA CL Group D: Atletico and Liverpool Clinch Sweet 16 Berths
Wednesday play in Group D:
At Madrid:
Goals from Simao (14') and Maxi Rodriguez (28', he's seen here celebrating with teammates) enabled Atletico Madrid to hold off visiting PSV Eindhoven 2-1 to lay claim to a berth in the Round of 16.
At Liverpool, England:
Steven Gerard's goal at 23 minutes was the only tally of the game which saw Liverpool lock up a knockout stage berth with their 1-0 home win over Marseille. Here's ol' Steven, celebrating with teammates.
GROUP D STANDINGS:
1. Atletico Madrid** (GP: 5; GD: +5; PTS: 11)
2. Liverpool** (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 11)
3. Marseille (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
4. PSV Eindhoven (GP: 5; GD: -7; PTS: 3)
**Advanced to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage
Both Photos © Getty Images
UEFA CL Group C: Barca Smother Sporting; Shakhtar Lock Up UEFA Cup Knockout Berth
Wednesday action in Group C:
At Donetsk, Ukraine:
Jadson's hat trick (32', 65', 72', he's pictured celebrating after that third goal) helped lead Shakhtar Donetsk to a 5-0 home brassknuckling of FC Basel, clinching a UEFA Cup knockout stage berth for the hosts.
At Lisbon, Portugal:
In a battle of clubs already bound for the round of 16, Barcelona overpowered homestanding Sporting CP 5-2. Five different goal scorers--Thierry Henry (14'), Gerard Pique (17'), Lionel Messi (49'), Sporting's Marco Caneira (OG-67'), and Bojan Krkic (PK-73', he's pictured here celebrating)---each scored once for Barca, who clinched first place in Group C.
GROUP C STANDINGS:
1. Barcelona*** (GP: 5; GD: +11; PTS: 13)
2. Sporting CP** (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 9)
3. Shakhtar Donetsk* (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
4. FC Basel 1893# (GP: 5; GD: -13; PTS: 1)
***Won Group C and advanced to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage
**Advanced to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage
*Clinched berth in the UEFA Cup knockout stage
#Eliminated from European competition
Both Photos © Getty Images
UEFA CL Group B: Inter Advance To Sweet 16 Dispite Home Loss; Anorthosis Blow 2-Goal Home Lead And Fall To Third
Wednesday action in Group B:
At Rome:
Jose Sarriegi scored the only goal of the match (69', pictured here) as Panathinaikos moved into second place in Group B with their 1-0 road win over Inter Milan. Despite the defeat the Nerozzurri advanced to the knockout stage.
At Nicosia, Cyprus:
Thanks to late second-half goals from Diego (PK-72') and Hugo Almeida (87'), Werder Bremen came back from a two-goal deficit to gain a 2-2 draw with Anorthosis Famagusta FC. Despite the win, the best the German club can do is finish third. Pictured here are Werder's Clemens Fritz taking the ball away from the Cypriot club's Hawar Taher.GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. Inter Milan** (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
2. Panathinaikos (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
3. Anorthosis Famagusta FC (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
4. Werder Bremen (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 4)
Both Photos © Getty Images
UEFA CL Group A: Roma Overpower Cluj; Bordeaux Gain Home Draw With Chelsea
Action from Matchday #5 in the UEFA Champions League continued on Wednesday:
At Bordeaux, France:
Alou Diarra provided the equalizer at 83 minutes (he's seen here celebrating), enabling Bordeaux to remain alive for a knockout stage be
rth with their 1-1 home draw with Chelsea. Nicola Anelka provided the Blues with a short-lived go-ahead tally at 60 minutes.
At Cluj-Napoca, Romania:
Matteo Brighi scored twice (11', 64', he's seen here celebrating after his second tally) and Francesco Totti added one (23') as visiting AS Roma closed in on a knockout-stage berth with a 3-1 win over CFR Cluj, eliminating the Transylvanian club from European competition.
GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. AS Roma (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 9)
2. Chelsea (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 8)
3. Bordeaux (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 7)
4. CFR Cluj# (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 4)
#Eliminated from European competition
Both Photos © Getty Images
At Bordeaux, France:
Alou Diarra provided the equalizer at 83 minutes (he's seen here celebrating), enabling Bordeaux to remain alive for a knockout stage be
rth with their 1-1 home draw with Chelsea. Nicola Anelka provided the Blues with a short-lived go-ahead tally at 60 minutes.At Cluj-Napoca, Romania:
Matteo Brighi scored twice (11', 64', he's seen here celebrating after his second tally) and Francesco Totti added one (23') as visiting AS Roma closed in on a knockout-stage berth with a 3-1 win over CFR Cluj, eliminating the Transylvanian club from European competition.
GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. AS Roma (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 9)
2. Chelsea (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 8)
3. Bordeaux (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 7)
4. CFR Cluj# (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 4)
#Eliminated from European competition
Both Photos © Getty Images
Some Faces Seattle Bound
Major League Soccer held its expansion draft on Wednesday, with ten players selected by Seattle Sounders FC, who will begin play next season. Eugene, Oregon native Nate Jaqua was selected from the Houston Dynamo.
Nate will still be playing for the Dynamo tonight when they host the CONCACAF Champions League group stage finale against El Salvador's Luis Angel Firpo with a quarterfinal berth on the line.
Nate will still be playing for the Dynamo tonight when they host the CONCACAF Champions League group stage finale against El Salvador's Luis Angel Firpo with a quarterfinal berth on the line.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
UEFA CL Group H:Juve Knock Zenit Into UEFA Cup Play: Galacticos Clinch Berth In Final 16
Tuesday play in Group H:
At Saint Petersburg, Russia:
Knockout stage-bound Juventus held Zenit Saint Petersburg to a 0-0 draw on the road, knocking the Russian champs out of Champions League contention. Zenit will, nevertheless, play in the
knockout stage of the UEFA Cup, where they are the current cupholders. Pictured here are Zenit's Andrei Arshavin and The Old Lady's Giorgio Chiellini battling for the ball.
At Minsk, Belarus:
Raul Gonzalez (seen here mobbed by teammates) scored the game's only goal at 7 minutes as Real Madrid clinched a berth in the knockout stage with their 1-0 road win over BATE Borisov, in the process, knocking the Belorussian club out of contention for further European competition.
GROUP H STANDINGS:
1. Juventus** (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 11)
2. Real Madrid** (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 9)
3. Zenit Saint Petersburg* (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 5)
4. BATE Borisov# (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 2)
**Advanced to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage
*Clinched a berth in the UEFA Cup knockout stage
#Eliminated from European Competition
Both Photos © Getty Images
At Saint Petersburg, Russia:
Knockout stage-bound Juventus held Zenit Saint Petersburg to a 0-0 draw on the road, knocking the Russian champs out of Champions League contention. Zenit will, nevertheless, play in the
knockout stage of the UEFA Cup, where they are the current cupholders. Pictured here are Zenit's Andrei Arshavin and The Old Lady's Giorgio Chiellini battling for the ball.
At Minsk, Belarus:
Raul Gonzalez (seen here mobbed by teammates) scored the game's only goal at 7 minutes as Real Madrid clinched a berth in the knockout stage with their 1-0 road win over BATE Borisov, in the process, knocking the Belorussian club out of contention for further European competition.
GROUP H STANDINGS:
1. Juventus** (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 11)
2. Real Madrid** (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 9)
3. Zenit Saint Petersburg* (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 5)
4. BATE Borisov# (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 2)
**Advanced to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage
*Clinched a berth in the UEFA Cup knockout stage
#Eliminated from European Competition
Both Photos © Getty Images
UEFA CL Group G: Gunners and Dragons Reach Knockout Stage
Tuesday action in Group G:
At Istanbul, Turkey:
Lisandro's first-half double (19', 28', he's seen here, third from left, celebrating) held up as FC Porto held off
Fenerbahce for a knockout-stage-berth-clinching 2-1 road win.
At London:
Nicklas Bendtner scored the only goal of the match at 87 minutes as Arsenal defeated visiting Dynamo Kiev 1-0 to clinch a place in the Sweet Sixteen. Here's Nick, saluting the Arsenal fans following the Gunners' victory.
GROUP G STANDINGS:
1. Arsenal** (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 11)
2. FC Porto** (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 9)
3. Dynamo Kiev (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 5)
4. Fenerbahce (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 2)
**Advanced to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage
Both Photos © Getty Images
At Istanbul, Turkey:
Lisandro's first-half double (19', 28', he's seen here, third from left, celebrating) held up as FC Porto held off
Fenerbahce for a knockout-stage-berth-clinching 2-1 road win.At London:
Nicklas Bendtner scored the only goal of the match at 87 minutes as Arsenal defeated visiting Dynamo Kiev 1-0 to clinch a place in the Sweet Sixteen. Here's Nick, saluting the Arsenal fans following the Gunners' victory.
GROUP G STANDINGS:
1. Arsenal** (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 11)
2. FC Porto** (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 9)
3. Dynamo Kiev (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 5)
4. Fenerbahce (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 2)
**Advanced to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage
Both Photos © Getty Images
UEFA CL Group F: Lyon and Bayern Munich Seal Knockout Stage Berths
Tuesday action in Group F:
At Munich, Germany:
Miroslav Klose scored twice in the second half (57', 71', he's seen here celebrating one of his goals) as Bayern Munich busted open a deadlocked contest and overpowered v
isiting Steaua Bucharest 3-0. The win locked up a knockout stage berth for the defending Bundesliga champs.
At Florence, Italy:
Karim Benzema scored the game winner at 77 minutes (he's seen here celebrating) as Lyon locked up a place in the round of 16 with a 2-1 road win over Fiorentina.
GROUP F STANDINGS:
1. Lyon** (GP: 5; GD: +5; PTS: 11)
2. Bayern Munich** (GP: 5; GD: +7; PTS: 11)
3. Fiorentina (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 3)
4. Steaua Bucharest (GP: 5; GD: -8; PTS: 1)
**Clinched UEFA Champions League knockout stage berth
Both Photos © Getty Images
At Munich, Germany:
Miroslav Klose scored twice in the second half (57', 71', he's seen here celebrating one of his goals) as Bayern Munich busted open a deadlocked contest and overpowered v
isiting Steaua Bucharest 3-0. The win locked up a knockout stage berth for the defending Bundesliga champs.
At Florence, Italy:
Karim Benzema scored the game winner at 77 minutes (he's seen here celebrating) as Lyon locked up a place in the round of 16 with a 2-1 road win over Fiorentina.
GROUP F STANDINGS:
1. Lyon** (GP: 5; GD: +5; PTS: 11)
2. Bayern Munich** (GP: 5; GD: +7; PTS: 11)
3. Fiorentina (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 3)
4. Steaua Bucharest (GP: 5; GD: -8; PTS: 1)
**Clinched UEFA Champions League knockout stage berth
Both Photos © Getty Images
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