Group stage play in the CONCACAF Champions League resumed Tuesday:
Group A:
At San Jose, Costa Rica:
Celso Borges (69') and Alejandro Alpizar (85') provided the second half goals that enabled Deportivo Saprisso to come from behind and defeat visiting Marathon (Honduras) 2-1.
Group B:
At Mexico City:
Kei Kamara (16', PK-34') and Craig Waibel (4', 51') each scored twice as the Houston Dynamo gained a 2-2 road draw against UNAM Pumas. Dante Lopez (18'), Efrain Juarez (27'), Francisco Palencia (42'), and Dario Veron (45'+2) each scored once for the hosts.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
UEFA Cup: CSKA Moscow and Hertha Berlin Reach Group Stage
Two clubs on Tuesday advanced to the group stage of the UEFA Cup:
Group One:
At Dublin, Ireland:
A 0-0 road draw in game two of their two-match home-and-away series was good enough for Hertha Berlin to advance to the group stage as they eliminated Saint Patrick's Athletic FC 2-0 on aggregate.
Group Six:
At Moscow:
Aleksei Berezutski scored the only goal of game two at 37 minutes, as CSKA Moscow defeated Croatia's NK Slaven Koprivnica 1-0 in the game and took their two-match set 3-1 on aggregate.
The remaining 38 first round two-match sets will conclude on Thursday.
Group One:
At Dublin, Ireland:
A 0-0 road draw in game two of their two-match home-and-away series was good enough for Hertha Berlin to advance to the group stage as they eliminated Saint Patrick's Athletic FC 2-0 on aggregate.
Group Six:
At Moscow:
Aleksei Berezutski scored the only goal of game two at 37 minutes, as CSKA Moscow defeated Croatia's NK Slaven Koprivnica 1-0 in the game and took their two-match set 3-1 on aggregate.
The remaining 38 first round two-match sets will conclude on Thursday.
UEFA Champions League Group Stage, Matchday #2: Red Devils Overpower AaB; Yellow Submarine Blank Bhoys
Matchday #2 in group stage play in the UEFA Champions League commenced Tuesday:
Group E:
At Aalborg, Denmark:
Goals from Wayne Rooney (22') and Dimitar Berbarov (55', 79') powered Manchester United to a 3-0 road triumph over Aalborg BK. Here are the two goalscorers celebrating the Red Devils' second goal.
At Villarreal, Spain:
Marcos Senna scor
ed the only goal of the match (67', seen here celebrating) on a free kick as Villarreal defeated visiting Celtic 1-0.
GROUP E STANDINGS:
1. Manchester United (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 4)
2. Villarreal (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. Celtic (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
4. Aalborg BK (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
Group F:
At Florence, Italy:
Fiorentina were held to a 0-0 home stalemate by Romania's Steaua Bucharest. Here's a look at the two clubs in action.
At Munich, Germany:
Ze Roberto's equalizer at 52 minutes enabled Bayern Munich to salvage a 1-1 home deadlock. Here is Bayern's Luca Toni in hot pursuit of Lyon's Cris.
GROUP F STANDINGS:
1. Bayern Munich (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
2. Fiorentina (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
Lyon (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
4. Steaua Bucharest (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
Group G:
At London:
Like a team looking for blood after getting knocked off at home by top-flight newcomers Hull City, Arsenal buried visiting FC Porto 4-0. Robin van Persie (31', 48') and Emmanuel Adebayor (40', PK-71') each tallied once in each half for the Gunners. Here's a shot of Rockin' Robin after he tallied Arsenal's third goal.
At Istanbul, Turkey:
Dyanmo Kiev held homestanding Fenerbahce to a 0-0 deadlock. Here's a snapshot of the Yellow Canaries' Gokhan Gonul challenging Dynomo's Milos Ninkovic for the ball.
GROUP G STANDINGS:
1. Arsenal (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 4)
2. FC Porto (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
3. Dynamo Kiev (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
4. Fenerbahce (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
Group H:
At Saint Petersburg:
Ruud van Nistelrooy netted the game winner at 31 minutes as Real Madrid outlasted Zenit Saint
Petersburg 2-1 on the road. Here's a snapshot of action from that contest.
At Minsk, Belarus:
Vincenzo Iaquinta's first-half double (29', 45'+3, he's pictured here going for a header) lifted Juventus to a 2-2 road draw against FC
BATE Borisov. Sergei Kryvets (17') and Igor Stasevich (23') scored to give the Belorussian club a short-live two-goal advantage.
GROUP H STANDINGS:
1. Real Madrid (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
2. Juventus (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. FC BATE Borisov (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
4. Zenit Saint Petersburg (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
All photos © Getty Images
Group E:
At Aalborg, Denmark:
Goals from Wayne Rooney (22') and Dimitar Berbarov (55', 79') powered Manchester United to a 3-0 road triumph over Aalborg BK. Here are the two goalscorers celebrating the Red Devils' second goal.
At Villarreal, Spain:
Marcos Senna scor
ed the only goal of the match (67', seen here celebrating) on a free kick as Villarreal defeated visiting Celtic 1-0.GROUP E STANDINGS:
1. Manchester United (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 4)
2. Villarreal (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. Celtic (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
4. Aalborg BK (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
Group F:
At Florence, Italy:
Fiorentina were held to a 0-0 home stalemate by Romania's Steaua Bucharest. Here's a look at the two clubs in action.
At Munich, Germany:
Ze Roberto's equalizer at 52 minutes enabled Bayern Munich to salvage a 1-1 home deadlock. Here is Bayern's Luca Toni in hot pursuit of Lyon's Cris.
GROUP F STANDINGS:
1. Bayern Munich (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
2. Fiorentina (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
Lyon (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
4. Steaua Bucharest (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
Group G:
At London:
Like a team looking for blood after getting knocked off at home by top-flight newcomers Hull City, Arsenal buried visiting FC Porto 4-0. Robin van Persie (31', 48') and Emmanuel Adebayor (40', PK-71') each tallied once in each half for the Gunners. Here's a shot of Rockin' Robin after he tallied Arsenal's third goal.
At Istanbul, Turkey:
Dyanmo Kiev held homestanding Fenerbahce to a 0-0 deadlock. Here's a snapshot of the Yellow Canaries' Gokhan Gonul challenging Dynomo's Milos Ninkovic for the ball.
GROUP G STANDINGS:
1. Arsenal (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 4)
2. FC Porto (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
3. Dynamo Kiev (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
4. Fenerbahce (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
Group H:
At Saint Petersburg:
Ruud van Nistelrooy netted the game winner at 31 minutes as Real Madrid outlasted Zenit Saint
Petersburg 2-1 on the road. Here's a snapshot of action from that contest.At Minsk, Belarus:
Vincenzo Iaquinta's first-half double (29', 45'+3, he's pictured here going for a header) lifted Juventus to a 2-2 road draw against FC
BATE Borisov. Sergei Kryvets (17') and Igor Stasevich (23') scored to give the Belorussian club a short-live two-goal advantage.GROUP H STANDINGS:
1. Real Madrid (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
2. Juventus (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. FC BATE Borisov (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
4. Zenit Saint Petersburg (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
All photos © Getty Images
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage: Comeback Win For Tauro
At Panama City, Panama:
Brunet Hay's double (47', 90'+6) lifted Tauro FC to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Guatemala's CSD Municipal in Group D play on Thursday in the CONCACAF Champions League.
GROUP D STANDINGS:
1. Puerto Rico Islanders (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
2. Tauro FC (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. Santos Laguna (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. CSD Municipal (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
Brunet Hay's double (47', 90'+6) lifted Tauro FC to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Guatemala's CSD Municipal in Group D play on Thursday in the CONCACAF Champions League.
GROUP D STANDINGS:
1. Puerto Rico Islanders (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
2. Tauro FC (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. Santos Laguna (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. CSD Municipal (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
CONCACAF Champions League: Honduran Clubs Excel; Another Shutout Loss For DC United; Iron Colts And Impact Draw Goose Eggs In Montreal
Group stage action continued Wednesday in the CONCACAF Champions League:
Group A:
At San Pedro Sula, Honduras:
Milton Nunez (67') and Erick Norales (83') provided the scoring punch as Marathon blanked visiting DC United 2-0.
GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. Marathon (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
2. Cruz Azul (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
3. Deportivo Saprissa (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
4. DC United (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)
Group B:
At Mexico City:
David Cabrera Pujol's double (12', 37') was part of a first-half scoring barrage which saw UNAM Pumas manhandle visiting LA Firpo (El Salvador) 3-0.
GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. UNAM Pumas (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 4)
2. San Francisco FC (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
3. Houston Dynamo (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
4. LA Firpo (GP: 1; GD: -3; PTS: 0)
Group C:
At Macoya, Trinidad and Tobago:
Ramiro Bruschi's double (32', 76') help propel CD Olimpia of Honduras to a 3-1 road win over Joe Public FC.
At Montreal:
The Montreal Impact and visiting Atlante from Mexico battled to a 0-0 stalemate.
GROUP C STANDINGS:
1. Montreal Impact (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
2. Atlante (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. Olimpia (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
4. Joe Public (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)
Group A:
At San Pedro Sula, Honduras:
Milton Nunez (67') and Erick Norales (83') provided the scoring punch as Marathon blanked visiting DC United 2-0.
GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. Marathon (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
2. Cruz Azul (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
3. Deportivo Saprissa (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
4. DC United (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)
Group B:
At Mexico City:
David Cabrera Pujol's double (12', 37') was part of a first-half scoring barrage which saw UNAM Pumas manhandle visiting LA Firpo (El Salvador) 3-0.
GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. UNAM Pumas (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 4)
2. San Francisco FC (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
3. Houston Dynamo (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
4. LA Firpo (GP: 1; GD: -3; PTS: 0)
Group C:
At Macoya, Trinidad and Tobago:
Ramiro Bruschi's double (32', 76') help propel CD Olimpia of Honduras to a 3-1 road win over Joe Public FC.
At Montreal:
The Montreal Impact and visiting Atlante from Mexico battled to a 0-0 stalemate.
GROUP C STANDINGS:
1. Montreal Impact (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
2. Atlante (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. Olimpia (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
4. Joe Public (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)
AFC Champions League: There'll Be A Japanese Club In The Finals
The quarterfinal round of the AFC Champions League concluded Wednesday:
At Osaka, Japan:
Masato Yamazaki (83') and Ronieliton (Roni) dos Santos (85') provided the late second half scoring to lift Gamba Osaka to a 2-0 game two home victory over Al-Karamah (Syria), enabling the Japanese club to take their two-match set 4-1 on aggregate.
At Saitama, Japan:
The Uwara Red Diamonds overturned their 3-2 road defeat of last week with a 2-0 home win to take their two-match set with Al Qadisiya Kuwait 4-3 on aggregate. Takahito Soma (31') and Marcus Tulio Tanaka (54') provided the critical tallies for the Reds.
Gamba Osaka and the Uwara Reds will face off in a two-match semifinal series, beginning October 8 at Osaka, Japan.
At Tashkent, Uzbekistan:
Coming off their 2-2 road draw of last week, FC Bunyodkor, thanks to Jose Luis Villanueva's hat trick (9', PK-19', 52') exploded offensively as they Iran Salpa FC at home 5-1 in game two to take their two-game series 7-3 on aggregate.
At Adelaide, Australia:
Robert Cornthwaite scored the lone goal (72') of game two, which saw Adelaide United defeat visiting Kashima Antlers 1-0 and win the two-match set 2-1 on aggregate.
Adelaide United will visit FC Bunyodkor in game one of their two-game semifinal series at Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Wednesday, October 8.
At Osaka, Japan:
Masato Yamazaki (83') and Ronieliton (Roni) dos Santos (85') provided the late second half scoring to lift Gamba Osaka to a 2-0 game two home victory over Al-Karamah (Syria), enabling the Japanese club to take their two-match set 4-1 on aggregate.
At Saitama, Japan:
The Uwara Red Diamonds overturned their 3-2 road defeat of last week with a 2-0 home win to take their two-match set with Al Qadisiya Kuwait 4-3 on aggregate. Takahito Soma (31') and Marcus Tulio Tanaka (54') provided the critical tallies for the Reds.
Gamba Osaka and the Uwara Reds will face off in a two-match semifinal series, beginning October 8 at Osaka, Japan.
At Tashkent, Uzbekistan:
Coming off their 2-2 road draw of last week, FC Bunyodkor, thanks to Jose Luis Villanueva's hat trick (9', PK-19', 52') exploded offensively as they Iran Salpa FC at home 5-1 in game two to take their two-game series 7-3 on aggregate.
At Adelaide, Australia:
Robert Cornthwaite scored the lone goal (72') of game two, which saw Adelaide United defeat visiting Kashima Antlers 1-0 and win the two-match set 2-1 on aggregate.
Adelaide United will visit FC Bunyodkor in game one of their two-game semifinal series at Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Wednesday, October 8.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Houston and San Francisco FC Garner Goose Eggs; Islanders Belt Santos In Soggy Encounter
Group stage action resumed Tuesday in the CONCACAF Champions League:
Group A:
At Mexico City:
Cruz Azul bounced back from their road defeat from last week to deliver a frontier-styled fistbeating to visiting Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica) 4-0. Miguel Sabah (23'), Gerardo Torrado (54'), Pablo Zeballos (61'), and Cristian Riveros (67') provided the scoring punch for the hosts.
Group B:
At Panama City, Panama:
The Houston Dynamo got their group stage campaign off to a defensive start by holding Panamanian club San Francisco FC to a 0-0 deadlock.
Group D:
At Bayamon, Puerto Rico:
Thanks to goals from Noah Delgado (38') and Edwin Miranda (50') the Puerto Rico Islanders ripped off their second win in two Group D matches as they manhandled Mexico's Santos Laguna 3-1.
Group A:
At Mexico City:
Cruz Azul bounced back from their road defeat from last week to deliver a frontier-styled fistbeating to visiting Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica) 4-0. Miguel Sabah (23'), Gerardo Torrado (54'), Pablo Zeballos (61'), and Cristian Riveros (67') provided the scoring punch for the hosts.
Group B:
At Panama City, Panama:
The Houston Dynamo got their group stage campaign off to a defensive start by holding Panamanian club San Francisco FC to a 0-0 deadlock.
Group D:
At Bayamon, Puerto Rico:
Thanks to goals from Noah Delgado (38') and Edwin Miranda (50') the Puerto Rico Islanders ripped off their second win in two Group D matches as they manhandled Mexico's Santos Laguna 3-1.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Dynamos Clinch CAF Champions League Semifinal Berth
Group stage play in the CAF Champions League concluded Sunday:
Group A:
At Harare, Zimbabwe:
David Shoko scored the only goal of the match at 88 minutes as Dynamos blanked visiting Egyptian club Zamalek 1-0 to claim the second semifinal round berth from Group A. The Zimbabwean club will take on Cameroon's Cotonsport Garoua in the semifinals in a two-match home-and -away series.
At Cairo, Egypt:
Al Ahly, having already clinched first place in Group A, hosted ASEC Mimosas from Ivory Coast in their group stage finale, a contest that ended up as a 2-2 deadlock. Mohamed Aboutreika (4') and Mahmoud El Sayed Samir (76') scored for the hosts, while the visitors got goals courtesy of Ladji Kone (5') and Cyriac Gohi Bi (78'). With the victory by Dynamos, ASEC were eliminated from contention for a semifinal berth. Al Ahly will play Nigerian club Enyimba International FC in the semifinals.
FINAL GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. Al Ahly* (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 12)
2. Dynamos* (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 9)
3. ASEC Mimosas (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
4. Zamalek (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 5)
* Advanced to the semifinal round
Group A:
At Harare, Zimbabwe:
David Shoko scored the only goal of the match at 88 minutes as Dynamos blanked visiting Egyptian club Zamalek 1-0 to claim the second semifinal round berth from Group A. The Zimbabwean club will take on Cameroon's Cotonsport Garoua in the semifinals in a two-match home-and -away series.
At Cairo, Egypt:
Al Ahly, having already clinched first place in Group A, hosted ASEC Mimosas from Ivory Coast in their group stage finale, a contest that ended up as a 2-2 deadlock. Mohamed Aboutreika (4') and Mahmoud El Sayed Samir (76') scored for the hosts, while the visitors got goals courtesy of Ladji Kone (5') and Cyriac Gohi Bi (78'). With the victory by Dynamos, ASEC were eliminated from contention for a semifinal berth. Al Ahly will play Nigerian club Enyimba International FC in the semifinals.
FINAL GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. Al Ahly* (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 12)
2. Dynamos* (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 9)
3. ASEC Mimosas (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
4. Zamalek (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 5)
* Advanced to the semifinal round
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Cotonsport Garoua Spank Enyimba To Win Group B And Eliminate TP Mazembe
Group B play in the 2008 CAF Champions League concluded Saturday:
At Garoua, Cameroon:
Ngomna Ahmadou (39'), Daouda Kamilou (62'), and Baba Ousmaila (75') provided the scoring punch that lifted Cotonsport Garoua to a 3-0 home thumping of semifinal-round-bound Enyimba of Nigeria to win Group B and thus setting up a semifinal two-match set against the runners up from Group A. With that defeat, the Nigerian club will face Group A winners Al Ahly of Egypt in the semifinals. The Cotonsport victory eliminated DRC's TP Mazembe from the tournament.
FINAL GROUP B STANDINGS:
1, Cotonsport Garoua* (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 10)
2. Enyimba* (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 9)
3. TP Mazembe (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
4. Al Hilal (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 6)
* Advanced to the semifinal round
Group A play concludes Sunday.
At Garoua, Cameroon:
Ngomna Ahmadou (39'), Daouda Kamilou (62'), and Baba Ousmaila (75') provided the scoring punch that lifted Cotonsport Garoua to a 3-0 home thumping of semifinal-round-bound Enyimba of Nigeria to win Group B and thus setting up a semifinal two-match set against the runners up from Group A. With that defeat, the Nigerian club will face Group A winners Al Ahly of Egypt in the semifinals. The Cotonsport victory eliminated DRC's TP Mazembe from the tournament.
FINAL GROUP B STANDINGS:
1, Cotonsport Garoua* (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 10)
2. Enyimba* (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 9)
3. TP Mazembe (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
4. Al Hilal (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 6)
* Advanced to the semifinal round
Group A play concludes Sunday.
CAF Champions League Group Stage Matchday #6: Road Draw Keeps TP Mazembe Alive, Eliminates Al Halil, And Clinches Semi Berth For Enyimba
The final weekend of group stage play in the 2008 CAF Champions League commenced on Friday:
At Omduram, Sudan:
A 2-2 draw on the road, thanks to Alain Djikadi's stoppage time equalizer, kept TP Mazembe alive in the race for a semifinal berth out of Group B, while at the same time eliminated hosts Al Hilal from the competition. The visitors from the Democratic Republic of Congo moved into second place in Group B and can advance to the semifinals should Enyimba FC from Nigeria (which, thanks to Friday's draw, has clinched a semifinal berth for themselves) win their Saturday contest at Garoua, Cameroon against Cotonsport Garoua.
At Omduram, Sudan:
A 2-2 draw on the road, thanks to Alain Djikadi's stoppage time equalizer, kept TP Mazembe alive in the race for a semifinal berth out of Group B, while at the same time eliminated hosts Al Hilal from the competition. The visitors from the Democratic Republic of Congo moved into second place in Group B and can advance to the semifinals should Enyimba FC from Nigeria (which, thanks to Friday's draw, has clinched a semifinal berth for themselves) win their Saturday contest at Garoua, Cameroon against Cotonsport Garoua.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage, Matchday #1: Winning Start For Iron Colts
At Cancun, Mexico:
Atlante concluded an abbreviated matchday #1 in group stage action in the CONCACAF Champions League on Thursday as they took their Group C opener at home 1-0 over Olimpia of Honduras. The Iron Colts' Arturo Munuz scored the game's lone goal at 28 minutes.
GROUP C STANDINGS:
1, Montreal Impact (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Atlante (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Olimpia (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. Joe Public FC (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. UNAM Pumas (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
2. San Francisco FC (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
3. Houston Dynamo (GP: 0; GD: 0; PTS: 0)
LA Firpo (GP: 0; GD: 0; PTS: 0)
Atlante concluded an abbreviated matchday #1 in group stage action in the CONCACAF Champions League on Thursday as they took their Group C opener at home 1-0 over Olimpia of Honduras. The Iron Colts' Arturo Munuz scored the game's lone goal at 28 minutes.
GROUP C STANDINGS:
1, Montreal Impact (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Atlante (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Olimpia (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. Joe Public FC (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. UNAM Pumas (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
2. San Francisco FC (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
3. Houston Dynamo (GP: 0; GD: 0; PTS: 0)
LA Firpo (GP: 0; GD: 0; PTS: 0)
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage Matchday # 1, Continued: Impact Blank Joe Public; Santos Laguna Also Gain Home Win
Group stage play in the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League resumed on Wednesday:
Group A:
At San Pedro Sula, Honduras:
Marathon hosted Mexico's Cruz Azul and bounced them 2-0, as the Honduran club was propelled by goals courtesy of Carlos Will Mejia (34') and Mario Beata (55').
GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. Deportiva Saprissa (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Marathon (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
3. Cruz Azul (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
4. DC United (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
Group B:
Wednesday's scheduled match between CD Luis Angel Firpo (El Salvador) and the Houston Dynamo, at Houston, has been postponed indefinitely due to Hurricane Ike.
Group C:
At Montreal:
Goals from Stefano Pesoli (14') and Tony Donatelli (54') lifted the Montreal Impact to a 2-0 home win over Joe Public FC (Trinidad and Tobago).
Group D:
At Torreon, Mexico:
With goals from Francisco Javier Torres (10'), Cristian Benitez (32'), and Vincente Matias Vuoso (90'), Santos Laguna won a 3-2 home goalfest against Guatemala's CSD Municipal.
GROUP D STANDINGS:
1. Santos Laguna (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
2. Puerto Rico Islanders (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. CSD Municipal (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. Tauro FC (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
Group A:
At San Pedro Sula, Honduras:
Marathon hosted Mexico's Cruz Azul and bounced them 2-0, as the Honduran club was propelled by goals courtesy of Carlos Will Mejia (34') and Mario Beata (55').
GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. Deportiva Saprissa (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Marathon (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
3. Cruz Azul (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
4. DC United (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
Group B:
Wednesday's scheduled match between CD Luis Angel Firpo (El Salvador) and the Houston Dynamo, at Houston, has been postponed indefinitely due to Hurricane Ike.
Group C:
At Montreal:
Goals from Stefano Pesoli (14') and Tony Donatelli (54') lifted the Montreal Impact to a 2-0 home win over Joe Public FC (Trinidad and Tobago).
Group D:
At Torreon, Mexico:
With goals from Francisco Javier Torres (10'), Cristian Benitez (32'), and Vincente Matias Vuoso (90'), Santos Laguna won a 3-2 home goalfest against Guatemala's CSD Municipal.
GROUP D STANDINGS:
1. Santos Laguna (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
2. Puerto Rico Islanders (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. CSD Municipal (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. Tauro FC (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
UEFA Champions League Group Stage, Matchday #1, Continued: Goose Eggs In Group E
Matchday #1 in group stage play in the 2008-09 UEFA Champions League concluded Wednesday:
Group E:
At Manchester, England:
Manchester United began their defense of their European crown by
being held to a 0-0 home draw by Spain's Villarreal. Here, we see the Red Devils, Ji-Sung Park in action.
At Glasgow, Scotland:
Denmark's Aalborg BK held Celtic to a 0-0 deadlock in the group stage opener for both clubs. P
ictured here, we see AaB goalkeeper Karim Zaza stopping the Bhoys' Barry Robson's penalty kick.
We might as well skip the standings here, with all four teams having one point apiece with nary a goal scored amongst the field.
Group F:
At Buchare
st, Romania:
Daniel Van Buyten notched the only goal of the match (15', seen here celebrating with teammates) as Bayern Munich opened up group stage play with a 1-0 road win over Steaua Bucharest.
At Lyon, France:
Second-half tallies from Frederic Piquionne (73') and Karim Benzema (86') enabled Lyon to come from a two-g
oal halftime deficit to gain a 2-2 home stalemate with Fiorentina. Alberto Gilardino (pictured here battling with Lyon's Mathieu Bodmer) scored both of the Purple's goals (12', 42').
GROUP F STANDINGS:
1. Bayern Munich (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
2. Fiorentina (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
Lyon (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
4. Steaua Bucharest (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
Group G:
At Porto, Portugal:
Lisandro Lopez (10', pictured here celebrating), Lucho Gonzalez (13'), and Lino (90'+2) provided the scoring that propelled FC Porto to a 3-1 home win over Fenerbahce.
At Kiev, Ukraine:
William Gallas' equalizer at 88 minutes (he's pictured here celebrating) enabled Arsenal to come from behind and gain a 1-1 road draw with Dynamo Kiev.
GROUP G STANDINGS:
1. FC Porto (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Arsenal (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
3. Dynamo Kiev (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Fenerbahce (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
Group H:
At Turin, Italy:
Alessandro Del Piero's successful free kick at 76 minutes (he's seen here celebrating in style) was the only goal of a match that saw Juventus defeat visiting Zenit Saint Petersburg 1-0. Photo ©
AFP
At Madrid:
Real Madrid, with goals from Sergio Ramos (11') and Ruud van Nistelrooy (57', shown here celebrating),
blanked Champions League debutantes BATE Borisov (Belarus) 2-0.
GROUP H STANDINGS:
1. Real Madrid (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Juventus (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Zenit Saint Petersburg (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. BATE Borisov (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
All photos except otherwise noted © Getty Images
Group E:
At Manchester, England:
Manchester United began their defense of their European crown by
being held to a 0-0 home draw by Spain's Villarreal. Here, we see the Red Devils, Ji-Sung Park in action.At Glasgow, Scotland:
Denmark's Aalborg BK held Celtic to a 0-0 deadlock in the group stage opener for both clubs. P
ictured here, we see AaB goalkeeper Karim Zaza stopping the Bhoys' Barry Robson's penalty kick.We might as well skip the standings here, with all four teams having one point apiece with nary a goal scored amongst the field.
Group F:
At Buchare
st, Romania:Daniel Van Buyten notched the only goal of the match (15', seen here celebrating with teammates) as Bayern Munich opened up group stage play with a 1-0 road win over Steaua Bucharest.
At Lyon, France:
Second-half tallies from Frederic Piquionne (73') and Karim Benzema (86') enabled Lyon to come from a two-g
oal halftime deficit to gain a 2-2 home stalemate with Fiorentina. Alberto Gilardino (pictured here battling with Lyon's Mathieu Bodmer) scored both of the Purple's goals (12', 42').GROUP F STANDINGS:
1. Bayern Munich (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
2. Fiorentina (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
Lyon (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
4. Steaua Bucharest (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
Group G:
At Porto, Portugal:
Lisandro Lopez (10', pictured here celebrating), Lucho Gonzalez (13'), and Lino (90'+2) provided the scoring that propelled FC Porto to a 3-1 home win over Fenerbahce.
At Kiev, Ukraine:
William Gallas' equalizer at 88 minutes (he's pictured here celebrating) enabled Arsenal to come from behind and gain a 1-1 road draw with Dynamo Kiev.
GROUP G STANDINGS:
1. FC Porto (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Arsenal (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
3. Dynamo Kiev (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Fenerbahce (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
Group H:
At Turin, Italy:
Alessandro Del Piero's successful free kick at 76 minutes (he's seen here celebrating in style) was the only goal of a match that saw Juventus defeat visiting Zenit Saint Petersburg 1-0. Photo ©
AFPAt Madrid:
Real Madrid, with goals from Sergio Ramos (11') and Ruud van Nistelrooy (57', shown here celebrating),
blanked Champions League debutantes BATE Borisov (Belarus) 2-0.GROUP H STANDINGS:
1. Real Madrid (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Juventus (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Zenit Saint Petersburg (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. BATE Borisov (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
All photos except otherwise noted © Getty Images
AFC Champions League: Knockout Stage Begins
Quarterfinal round play started Wednesday in the 2008 AFC Champions League:
At Kashima, Japan:
Visiting Adelaide United (Australia) and Kashima Antlers battled to a 1-1 draw in game one of the two clubs' two-match home-and-away series. Adelaide's Robert Cornwaite's own goal (44') enabled the Antlers to salvage the home draw. His Adelaide teammate Travis Dodd had scored at 38 minutes to give the Australian club a short-lived 1-0 lead.
At Kuwait City, Kuwait:
Goals from Ibrahima Keita (17'), Selim Ben Achour (57'), and Nawaf Al Mutairi (PK-84') led homestanding Al Qadislya Kuwait to a 3-2 series-opening win over Japan's Uwara Red Diamonds.
At Karaj, Iran:
Visiting FC Bunyodkor (Uzbekitstan) and Salpa FC battled to a 2-2 game-one deadlock. Jose Luis Villanueva (17') and Rivaldo (20') scored for the guests, while Iman Razzaghi-Rad (19') and Kianoush Rahmati (40') tallied for the hosts.
At Homs, Syria:
Secondd-half goals courtesy of Satoshi Yamagouchi (70') and Masato Yamazaki (76') lifted Japan's Gamba Osaka to a 2-1, come-from-behind, road win in game one against Syria's Al-Karamah.
At Kashima, Japan:
Visiting Adelaide United (Australia) and Kashima Antlers battled to a 1-1 draw in game one of the two clubs' two-match home-and-away series. Adelaide's Robert Cornwaite's own goal (44') enabled the Antlers to salvage the home draw. His Adelaide teammate Travis Dodd had scored at 38 minutes to give the Australian club a short-lived 1-0 lead.
At Kuwait City, Kuwait:
Goals from Ibrahima Keita (17'), Selim Ben Achour (57'), and Nawaf Al Mutairi (PK-84') led homestanding Al Qadislya Kuwait to a 3-2 series-opening win over Japan's Uwara Red Diamonds.
At Karaj, Iran:
Visiting FC Bunyodkor (Uzbekitstan) and Salpa FC battled to a 2-2 game-one deadlock. Jose Luis Villanueva (17') and Rivaldo (20') scored for the guests, while Iman Razzaghi-Rad (19') and Kianoush Rahmati (40') tallied for the hosts.
At Homs, Syria:
Secondd-half goals courtesy of Satoshi Yamagouchi (70') and Masato Yamazaki (76') lifted Japan's Gamba Osaka to a 2-1, come-from-behind, road win in game one against Syria's Al-Karamah.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage Matchday # 1: Rough Start For DC United
Group stage action in the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League commenced on Tuesday:
Group A:
At Washington:
Goals from Walter Centeno (32') and Jairo Arrieta (52') lifted Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica) to a 2-0 road win over 10-man DC United.
Group B:
At Panama City, Panama:
Alberto Zapata's equalizer at 41 minutes enabled San Francisco FC to gain a 1-1 draw with Mexico's UNAM Pumas. Fernando Espinosa scored at 8 minutes for the visitors.
Group D:
At Bayamon, Puerto Rico:
Goals from Petter Villegas (11') and Kendall Jagdeosingh (26') enabled the Puerto Rico Islanders to hold off visiting Tauro FC (Panama) 2-1.
Group A:
At Washington:
Goals from Walter Centeno (32') and Jairo Arrieta (52') lifted Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica) to a 2-0 road win over 10-man DC United.
Group B:
At Panama City, Panama:
Alberto Zapata's equalizer at 41 minutes enabled San Francisco FC to gain a 1-1 draw with Mexico's UNAM Pumas. Fernando Espinosa scored at 8 minutes for the visitors.
Group D:
At Bayamon, Puerto Rico:
Goals from Petter Villegas (11') and Kendall Jagdeosingh (26') enabled the Puerto Rico Islanders to hold off visiting Tauro FC (Panama) 2-1.
UEFA Cup: German Pair and Olympiacos Closing In On Group Stage
The first round proper of the 2008-09 UEFA Cup opened Tuesday with the opening matches of three two-match sets.
Group One:
At Berlin:
Maximilian Nicu (50') and Cicero Santos (77') each scored once in the second half to lead Hertha Berlin to a 2-0 home win over Ireland's St. Patrick's Athletic FC in game one of their two-match series.
Group Eight:
At Farum, Denmark:
With goals in the second half from Konstantinos Mitroglou (74') and Sebastian Leto (90'+3), Olympiacos racked up a game-one 2-0 road win over FC Nordsjaelland.
Group Five:
At Nicosia, Cyprus:
FC Schalke 04 proved too much on the road for APOEL, taking their series opener 4-1. Heiko Westermann (25'), Ivan Rakitic (36'), Vicente Sanchez (41') each tallied in the first half. Halil Altintop added to the visitors' coffers with his 88th-minute score.
Group One:
At Berlin:
Maximilian Nicu (50') and Cicero Santos (77') each scored once in the second half to lead Hertha Berlin to a 2-0 home win over Ireland's St. Patrick's Athletic FC in game one of their two-match series.
Group Eight:
At Farum, Denmark:
With goals in the second half from Konstantinos Mitroglou (74') and Sebastian Leto (90'+3), Olympiacos racked up a game-one 2-0 road win over FC Nordsjaelland.
Group Five:
At Nicosia, Cyprus:
FC Schalke 04 proved too much on the road for APOEL, taking their series opener 4-1. Heiko Westermann (25'), Ivan Rakitic (36'), Vicente Sanchez (41') each tallied in the first half. Halil Altintop added to the visitors' coffers with his 88th-minute score.
UEFA Champions League Group Stage, Matchday #1: Blues Clobber Bordeuax; Transylvanian Club Takes Bite Of Roma
Action in the group stage of the 2008-09 UEFA Champions League opened on Tuesday:
Group A:
At London:
Goals from Frank Lampard (14'), Joe Cole (30', seen here congratulated by teammates), Florent Malouda (82'), and Nicolas Anelka (90'+2) proved p
lentiful as Chelsea opened up group stage play with a frontier-styled 4-0 home fistbeating of Bordeaux.
At Rome:
Juan Culio's double (27', 49') enabled CFR Cluj to come from behind to post a shocking 2-1 road win over AS Roma, in the Romanian club's first-ever Champions League group stage
match. Here, we see the star of the match celebrating with teammates.
GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. Chelsea (GP: 1; GD: +4; PTS: 3)
2. CFR Cluj (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. AS Roma (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. Bordeaux (GP: 1; GD: -4; PTS: 0)
Group B:
At Athens:
Inter Milan, with goals courtesy of Mancini (27', seen here celebrating) and Adriano (85'), blanked Panithinaikos 2-0 on the road.
At Bremen, Germany:
In the first-ever Champions League group stage match played by a club from Cyprus, Anorthosis Famagusta held homestanding Werder Bremen to a 0-0 draw. Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese shows his frustration.
GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. Inter Milan (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Anorthosis (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
3. Werder Bremen (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
4. Panathinaikos (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
Group C:
At Basel, Switzerland:
Goals from Fernandinho (25', seen here celebrating with teammate Olexandr Kucher) and Jadson (45'+1) enabled Sao Paolo East, a.k.a. Shakhtar Donetsk to hold off hosts FC Basel 2-1.
At Barcelona:
Barcelona got their group stage campaign on the right foot, defeating visiting Sportin
g Club Portugal 3-1. Rafael Marquez (21', seen here celebrating), Samuel Eto'o (PK-60'), and Xavi Hernandez (87') each tallied once for Barca.
GROUP C STANDINGS:
1. Barcelona (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Shakhtar Donetsk (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. FC Basel (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. Sporti
ng (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
Group D:
At Eindhoven, Netherlands:
Sergio Aguero's first-half double (9' 36') powered Atletico Madrid to a 3-0 road manhandling of PSV Eindhoven. Here's Sergio celebrating one of his tallies.
At Marseille, France:
Steven Gerard's double (26', PK-32', seen here celebrating after the second goal) allowed visiting Liverpool to overcome a 1-0 deficit to defeat
Marseille 2-1.
GROUP D STANDINGS:
1. Atletico Madrid (GP: 1; GD: +3; PTS: 3)
2. Liverpool (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Marseille (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. PSV Eindhoven (GP: 1; GD: -3; PTS: 0)
All Photos © Getty Images
Group A:
At London:
Goals from Frank Lampard (14'), Joe Cole (30', seen here congratulated by teammates), Florent Malouda (82'), and Nicolas Anelka (90'+2) proved p
lentiful as Chelsea opened up group stage play with a frontier-styled 4-0 home fistbeating of Bordeaux.At Rome:
Juan Culio's double (27', 49') enabled CFR Cluj to come from behind to post a shocking 2-1 road win over AS Roma, in the Romanian club's first-ever Champions League group stage
match. Here, we see the star of the match celebrating with teammates.GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. Chelsea (GP: 1; GD: +4; PTS: 3)
2. CFR Cluj (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. AS Roma (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. Bordeaux (GP: 1; GD: -4; PTS: 0)
Group B:
At Athens:
Inter Milan, with goals courtesy of Mancini (27', seen here celebrating) and Adriano (85'), blanked Panithinaikos 2-0 on the road.
At Bremen, Germany:
In the first-ever Champions League group stage match played by a club from Cyprus, Anorthosis Famagusta held homestanding Werder Bremen to a 0-0 draw. Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese shows his frustration.
GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. Inter Milan (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Anorthosis (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
3. Werder Bremen (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
4. Panathinaikos (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
Group C:
At Basel, Switzerland:
Goals from Fernandinho (25', seen here celebrating with teammate Olexandr Kucher) and Jadson (45'+1) enabled Sao Paolo East, a.k.a. Shakhtar Donetsk to hold off hosts FC Basel 2-1.
At Barcelona:
Barcelona got their group stage campaign on the right foot, defeating visiting Sportin
g Club Portugal 3-1. Rafael Marquez (21', seen here celebrating), Samuel Eto'o (PK-60'), and Xavi Hernandez (87') each tallied once for Barca.GROUP C STANDINGS:
1. Barcelona (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Shakhtar Donetsk (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. FC Basel (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. Sporti
ng (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)Group D:
At Eindhoven, Netherlands:
Sergio Aguero's first-half double (9' 36') powered Atletico Madrid to a 3-0 road manhandling of PSV Eindhoven. Here's Sergio celebrating one of his tallies.
At Marseille, France:
Steven Gerard's double (26', PK-32', seen here celebrating after the second goal) allowed visiting Liverpool to overcome a 1-0 deficit to defeat
Marseille 2-1.GROUP D STANDINGS:
1. Atletico Madrid (GP: 1; GD: +3; PTS: 3)
2. Liverpool (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Marseille (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. PSV Eindhoven (GP: 1; GD: -3; PTS: 0)
All Photos © Getty Images
Monday, September 15, 2008
Enyimba Crown Al Halil
Matchday #5 in group stage play in the CAF Champions League concluded Monday:
At Aba, Nigeria:
In a match postponed from Sunday due to a waterlogged pitch, Enyimba throttled visiting Al Hilal of Sudan 4-1 in Group B play to move into the top of the group standings.
GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. Enyimba (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
2. TP Mazembe (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
3. Cotonsport Garoua (GD: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 7)
4. Al Hilal (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 5)
At Aba, Nigeria:
In a match postponed from Sunday due to a waterlogged pitch, Enyimba throttled visiting Al Hilal of Sudan 4-1 in Group B play to move into the top of the group standings.
GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. Enyimba (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
2. TP Mazembe (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
3. Cotonsport Garoua (GD: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 7)
4. Al Hilal (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 5)
Sunday, September 14, 2008
CAF Champions League: Everyone Still Alive For Semifinal Berths
Matchday # 5 in the group stage of the 2008 CAF Champions League continued Sunday:
Group A:
At Cairo:
In a battle of local rivals, Zamalek settled for a 2-2 home draw with archrivals Al Ahly. Gamal Hanza (40') and Junior Agogo (51') tallied for Zamalek, while Flavio Amado (9') and Mohamed Aboutrika (70') scored for Al Ahly. Al Ahly had already clinched a berth in the semifinal round while Zamalek remained alive with one match remaining.
GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. Zamalek* (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 11)
2. Dynamos (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
3. ASEC Mimosas (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
4. Zamalek (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 5)
* Clinched semifinal berth
Group B:
At Lumbumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo:
Mputu Mabi (2') and Dioko Kaluyituka (48') each scored a goal as TP Mazembe blanked visiting Cotonsport Garoua from Cameroon 2-0.
Sudan's Al Halil's match with Enyimba at Aba, Nigeria was postponed Sunday because of a waterlogged pitch. The match has been rescheduled for Monday.
Group A:
At Cairo:
In a battle of local rivals, Zamalek settled for a 2-2 home draw with archrivals Al Ahly. Gamal Hanza (40') and Junior Agogo (51') tallied for Zamalek, while Flavio Amado (9') and Mohamed Aboutrika (70') scored for Al Ahly. Al Ahly had already clinched a berth in the semifinal round while Zamalek remained alive with one match remaining.
GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. Zamalek* (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 11)
2. Dynamos (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
3. ASEC Mimosas (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
4. Zamalek (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 5)
* Clinched semifinal berth
Group B:
At Lumbumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo:
Mputu Mabi (2') and Dioko Kaluyituka (48') each scored a goal as TP Mazembe blanked visiting Cotonsport Garoua from Cameroon 2-0.
Sudan's Al Halil's match with Enyimba at Aba, Nigeria was postponed Sunday because of a waterlogged pitch. The match has been rescheduled for Monday.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Dynamos Win Seals Semifinal Berth For Al Ahly
At Abidjan, Ivory Coast:
In Group A play on Saturday in the CAF Champions League, Philip Marufa scored twice (53', 90'+6) as visiting Dynamos of Zimbabwe defeated ASEC Mimosas 2-1. The win by the Zimbabwean club clinched a semifinal round berth for Egypt's Al Ahly.
In Group A play on Saturday in the CAF Champions League, Philip Marufa scored twice (53', 90'+6) as visiting Dynamos of Zimbabwe defeated ASEC Mimosas 2-1. The win by the Zimbabwean club clinched a semifinal round berth for Egypt's Al Ahly.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Chalk Up Another Win For Team USA
Qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup from the CONCACAF region resumed Wednesday:
Group One:
At Bridgeview, Illinois:
Goals from Michael Bradley (9'), Clint Dempsey (17'), and Brian Ching (57') helped the United States breeze to a convincing 3-0 home win over Trinidad and Tobago. The Americans have all but sealed a berth in the final stage of qualifying.
At Guatemala City, Guatemala:
Carlos Ruiz scored twice (37', 54') as Guatemala throttled visiting Cuba 4-1.
GROUP ONE STANDINGS:
1. United States (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 9)
2. Guatemala (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
3. Trinidad and Tobago (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
4. Cuba (GP: 3; GD: -6; PTS: 0)
Group Two:
At Tuxtla, Mexico:
Second-half goals from Omar Bravo (58') and Rafael Marquez (72') enabled Mexico to hold off visiting Canada 2-1. The Mexicans are now on the cusp of advancing to the fourth and final qualifying round for South Africa 2010.
At San Pedro Sula, Honduras:
Hondurs, thanks to goals from Ramon Nunez (60') and Amado Guevara (73') defeated visiting Jamaica 2-0.
GROUP TWO STANDINGS:
1. Mexico (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 9)
2. Honduras (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
3. Canada (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
4. Jamaica (GP: 3; GD: -5; PTS: 1)
Group Three:
At Paramarimbo, Suriname:
Shawn Hasani Martin (2') and Rodolfo Zelaya (12') provided the scoring that held up, powering visiting El Salvador to a 2-0 win over Suriname.
At Port-au-Prince, Haiti:
Bryan Ruiz doubled (12', 72') and Alejandro Apizar (85') added one of his own as Costa Rica all but sealed a berth in the final qualifying stage with their 3-1 road win over Haiti.
GROUP THREE STANDINGS:
1. Costa Rica (GP: 3; GD: +10; PTS: 9)
2. El Salvador (GP: 3; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
3. Haiti (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 1)
4. Suriname (GP: 3; GD: -9; PTS: 1)
Group One:
At Bridgeview, Illinois:
Goals from Michael Bradley (9'), Clint Dempsey (17'), and Brian Ching (57') helped the United States breeze to a convincing 3-0 home win over Trinidad and Tobago. The Americans have all but sealed a berth in the final stage of qualifying.
At Guatemala City, Guatemala:
Carlos Ruiz scored twice (37', 54') as Guatemala throttled visiting Cuba 4-1.
GROUP ONE STANDINGS:
1. United States (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 9)
2. Guatemala (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
3. Trinidad and Tobago (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
4. Cuba (GP: 3; GD: -6; PTS: 0)
Group Two:
At Tuxtla, Mexico:
Second-half goals from Omar Bravo (58') and Rafael Marquez (72') enabled Mexico to hold off visiting Canada 2-1. The Mexicans are now on the cusp of advancing to the fourth and final qualifying round for South Africa 2010.
At San Pedro Sula, Honduras:
Hondurs, thanks to goals from Ramon Nunez (60') and Amado Guevara (73') defeated visiting Jamaica 2-0.
GROUP TWO STANDINGS:
1. Mexico (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 9)
2. Honduras (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
3. Canada (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
4. Jamaica (GP: 3; GD: -5; PTS: 1)
Group Three:
At Paramarimbo, Suriname:
Shawn Hasani Martin (2') and Rodolfo Zelaya (12') provided the scoring that held up, powering visiting El Salvador to a 2-0 win over Suriname.
At Port-au-Prince, Haiti:
Bryan Ruiz doubled (12', 72') and Alejandro Apizar (85') added one of his own as Costa Rica all but sealed a berth in the final qualifying stage with their 3-1 road win over Haiti.
GROUP THREE STANDINGS:
1. Costa Rica (GP: 3; GD: +10; PTS: 9)
2. El Salvador (GP: 3; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
3. Haiti (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 1)
4. Suriname (GP: 3; GD: -9; PTS: 1)
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Clint Dempsey Tally Leads Team USA Past Cuba
Qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup from the CONCACAF region continued Saturday:
Group 1:
At Havana, Cuba:
Clint Dempsey provided the only goal (40') of a match which saw the United States blank Cuba on the road 1-0.
At Port-Of-Spain, Trinidad
Carlo Gallardo Najera's second-half-stoppage-time equalizer lifted Guatemala to a 1-1 road draw against Trinidad & Tobago. Keon Daniel scored for the Trinidadians at 84 minutes.
GROUP ONE STANDINGS:
1. United States (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Trinidad & Tobago (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. Guatemala (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1
4. Cuba (GP: 2; GD: -3 ; PTS: 0)
Group 2:
At Mexico City:
Goals courtesy of Andres Guardado (2'), Fernando Enrique Ruiz Arce (32'), and Jose Jonny Oliva Magallon (62') lifted Mexico to a decisive 3-0 home triumph at Jamaica's expense.
At Montreal:
Ramon Nunez scored twice (47', 56') to lift Honduras to a come-from-behind 2-1 road win over Canada.
GROUP TWO STANDINGS:
1. Mexico (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
2. Honduras (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. Canada (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
4. Jamaica (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
Group 3:
At San Salvador, El Salvador:
Rodolfo Zelaya's hat trick (8', 24', 52') helped propel El Salvador to a 5-0 annihilation of visiting Haiti.
At San Jose, Costa Rica:
Froylan Ledezma's double (8', 41') was only the start of a major scoring barrage by Costa Rica as the hosts demolished Suriname 7-0.
GROUP THREE STANDINGS:
1. Costa Rica (GP: 2; GD: +8; PTS: 6)
2. El Salvador (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 3)
3. Haiti (GP: 2; GD: -5; PTS: 1)
4. Suriname (GP: 2; GD: -7; PTS: 1)
Group 1:
At Havana, Cuba:
Clint Dempsey provided the only goal (40') of a match which saw the United States blank Cuba on the road 1-0.
At Port-Of-Spain, Trinidad
Carlo Gallardo Najera's second-half-stoppage-time equalizer lifted Guatemala to a 1-1 road draw against Trinidad & Tobago. Keon Daniel scored for the Trinidadians at 84 minutes.
GROUP ONE STANDINGS:
1. United States (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Trinidad & Tobago (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. Guatemala (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1
4. Cuba (GP: 2; GD: -3 ; PTS: 0)
Group 2:
At Mexico City:
Goals courtesy of Andres Guardado (2'), Fernando Enrique Ruiz Arce (32'), and Jose Jonny Oliva Magallon (62') lifted Mexico to a decisive 3-0 home triumph at Jamaica's expense.
At Montreal:
Ramon Nunez scored twice (47', 56') to lift Honduras to a come-from-behind 2-1 road win over Canada.
GROUP TWO STANDINGS:
1. Mexico (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
2. Honduras (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. Canada (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
4. Jamaica (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
Group 3:
At San Salvador, El Salvador:
Rodolfo Zelaya's hat trick (8', 24', 52') helped propel El Salvador to a 5-0 annihilation of visiting Haiti.
At San Jose, Costa Rica:
Froylan Ledezma's double (8', 41') was only the start of a major scoring barrage by Costa Rica as the hosts demolished Suriname 7-0.
GROUP THREE STANDINGS:
1. Costa Rica (GP: 2; GD: +8; PTS: 6)
2. El Salvador (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 3)
3. Haiti (GP: 2; GD: -5; PTS: 1)
4. Suriname (GP: 2; GD: -7; PTS: 1)
Thursday, September 04, 2008
CONCACAF Champions League: Preliminary Round Concludes
The preliminary round of the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League concluded Thursday:
At La Chorrera, Panama:
Doubles each from Alberto Zapata (8', 75') and Juan Ramon Solis (17', 72') helped power San Francisco FC to a 5-0 home bludgeoning of Deportivo Jalapa of Guatemala in game two of the their two-match set, enabling the Panamanian club to easily overturn their 1-0 road defeat from last week and win their two-match set 5-1 on aggregate and advance to the group stage.
At Mexico City:
Francisco Palencia scored twice (65', 90'+2) and Jehu Chiapas once (89') as UNAM Pumas overpowered ten-man Harbour View FC (Jamaica) 3-0 in winning the only game between these two clubs (last week's scheduled match at Kingston, Jamaica was cancelled due to concerns over Hurricane Gustav). Pumas will now join the group stage.
Speaking of which:
GROUP A
DC United (USA/MLS)
Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica)
Cruz Azul (Mexico)
Marathon (Honduras)
GROUP B
Houston Dynamo (USA/MLS)
Firpo (El Salvador)
San Francisco FC (Panama)
UNAM Pumas (Mexico)
GROUP C
Atlante (Mexico)
Olimpia (Honduras)
Joe Public FC (Trinidad and Tobago)
Montreal Impact (Canada/USL-1)
GROUP D
Santos Laguna (Mexico)
Municipal (Guatemala)
Puerto Rico Islanders (Puerto Rico/USL-1)
Tauro FC (Panama)
The action starts on September 16. Each team plays each other team in its' group twice. The top two clubs in each group would qualify for the knockout stage, starting with the quarterfinal round.
At La Chorrera, Panama:
Doubles each from Alberto Zapata (8', 75') and Juan Ramon Solis (17', 72') helped power San Francisco FC to a 5-0 home bludgeoning of Deportivo Jalapa of Guatemala in game two of the their two-match set, enabling the Panamanian club to easily overturn their 1-0 road defeat from last week and win their two-match set 5-1 on aggregate and advance to the group stage.
At Mexico City:
Francisco Palencia scored twice (65', 90'+2) and Jehu Chiapas once (89') as UNAM Pumas overpowered ten-man Harbour View FC (Jamaica) 3-0 in winning the only game between these two clubs (last week's scheduled match at Kingston, Jamaica was cancelled due to concerns over Hurricane Gustav). Pumas will now join the group stage.
Speaking of which:
GROUP A
DC United (USA/MLS)
Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica)
Cruz Azul (Mexico)
Marathon (Honduras)
GROUP B
Houston Dynamo (USA/MLS)
Firpo (El Salvador)
San Francisco FC (Panama)
UNAM Pumas (Mexico)
GROUP C
Atlante (Mexico)
Olimpia (Honduras)
Joe Public FC (Trinidad and Tobago)
Montreal Impact (Canada/USL-1)
GROUP D
Santos Laguna (Mexico)
Municipal (Guatemala)
Puerto Rico Islanders (Puerto Rico/USL-1)
Tauro FC (Panama)
The action starts on September 16. Each team plays each other team in its' group twice. The top two clubs in each group would qualify for the knockout stage, starting with the quarterfinal round.
King Kevin Quits Magpies
At Newcastle, England:
Embattled Newcastle United Manager Kevin Keegan Resigned Thursday.
Embattled Newcastle United Manager Kevin Keegan Resigned Thursday.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
CONCACAF Champions League: Cruz Azul Delivers Another Six-Pack On Hankook Verdes; Marathon Joins Group Stage, Too; Islanders Make It Two USL-1 Clubs
Action resumed Wednesday in the preliminary round of the CONCACAF Champions League:
At Jalapa, Guatemala:
In a match played in Guatemala due to a lack of a playing facility in Belize that met FIFA requirements, Mexico's Cruz Azul, in game two of their two-match set, delivered a second successive 6-0 annihilation of Hankook Verdes (Belize) to handily win their series 12-0 on aggregate and advanced to the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League. Javier Orozco (17', 40') and Nicolas Vigneri (70', 84') each scored twice for the victors.
At Bayamon, Puerto Rico:
Taiwo Atieno's double in the final minutes (87', 89') enabled the Peurto Rico Islanders to come from behind to defeat Costa Rica's LD Alajuelense 2-1 at home in game two, thus allowing the USL-1 club to win their two-match set 3-2 on aggregate and advance to the group stage. The Islanders join fellow USL-1ers the Montreal Impact in the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League.
At San Pedro Sula, Honduras:
Homestanding Marathon defeated Salvadorian club Metapan 2-1 in game two to claim their two-match set on aggregate 4-3.
At Jalapa, Guatemala:
In a match played in Guatemala due to a lack of a playing facility in Belize that met FIFA requirements, Mexico's Cruz Azul, in game two of their two-match set, delivered a second successive 6-0 annihilation of Hankook Verdes (Belize) to handily win their series 12-0 on aggregate and advanced to the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League. Javier Orozco (17', 40') and Nicolas Vigneri (70', 84') each scored twice for the victors.
At Bayamon, Puerto Rico:
Taiwo Atieno's double in the final minutes (87', 89') enabled the Peurto Rico Islanders to come from behind to defeat Costa Rica's LD Alajuelense 2-1 at home in game two, thus allowing the USL-1 club to win their two-match set 3-2 on aggregate and advance to the group stage. The Islanders join fellow USL-1ers the Montreal Impact in the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League.
At San Pedro Sula, Honduras:
Homestanding Marathon defeated Salvadorian club Metapan 2-1 in game two to claim their two-match set on aggregate 4-3.
DC United Captures US Open Cup Crown
At Washington:
Fred scored the game-winning goal at 50 minutes on Wednesday night to lift DC United to a 2-1 win over the Charleston Battery (USL-1) to capture their first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship since 1996. Luciano Emilio scored DC's first goal in the fourth minute. Ian Fuller accounted for the lone Charleston goal in the 10th minute.
The victory assured DC United of a spot in the 2009-2010 CONCACAF Champions League. They are in the group stage of this season's edition.
Fred scored the game-winning goal at 50 minutes on Wednesday night to lift DC United to a 2-1 win over the Charleston Battery (USL-1) to capture their first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship since 1996. Luciano Emilio scored DC's first goal in the fourth minute. Ian Fuller accounted for the lone Charleston goal in the 10th minute.
The victory assured DC United of a spot in the 2009-2010 CONCACAF Champions League. They are in the group stage of this season's edition.
Hammers Boss Calls It Quits
At London:
Alan Curbishley resigned Wednesday as the manager at West Ham United.
Alan Curbishley resigned Wednesday as the manager at West Ham United.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
CONCACAF Champions League: MLS Clubs Eliminated
Tuesday marked a bad night for Major League Soccer clubs in the CONCACAF Champions League's preliminary round as both MLS clubs in that stage of the competition were eliminated:
At Foxboro, Massachusetts:
Gregory Richardson had a hand in all four goals, scoring three while assisting on another as Joe Public FC (Trinidad and Tobago) handed the New England Revolution a 4-0 road frontier-styled fistbeating in game two of their home-and-away two-match set. The Trinidadian club won their series 6-1 on aggregate and advanced to the group stage.
At Carson, California:
Luis Moreno's goal in the 63rd minute enabled Tauro FC of Panama to gain a 1-1 road draw with Chivas USA in game two, good enough for the guests to advance to the CONCACAF Champion League's group stage on aggregate 3-1.
Meanwhile, here is BIG news for Canadian soccer fans and fans of the United Soccer Leagues:
At Comayagus, Honduras:
This match was played in Honduras because Nicaragua does not have a stadium that meets the requirements of soccer's world governing body, FIFA.
A scoreless draw between the Montreal Impact and Nicaragua's Real Esteli in game two enabled the USL-1 club to advance to the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League as the Impact took their two-match set on aggregate 1-0.
If you think there are questions about the caliber of play in Major League Soccer, critics of MLS are going to point out the fact that a USL-1 club has reached the group stage while the two MLS club who played in the preliminary round were both eliminated by Panamanian and Trinidadian clubs.
I wonder what would happen if the Charleston Battery (USL-1) were to defeat DC United in Wednesday Night's US Open Cup final-----on DC United's own pitch.
I wonder what would happen if the Charleston Battery (USL-1) were to defeat DC United in Wednesday Night's US Open Cup final-----on DC United's own pitch.
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