AFC Champions League

Eight games were played on Tuesday as the next-to-last match day of AFC Champions League group-stage action commenced.

Group C:

At Doha, Qatar:

Amad Al Hosni (31') and Jairo Palomino (68') each delivered a goal as Al-Ahli gained a 2-2 road draw with Al-Gharafa.  Alex Raphael Meschini (24') and Djibril Cisse (PK-54') each delivered a goal for the hosts who will join their guests from Saudi Arabia in the knockout stage.

At Dubai, United Arab Emirates:

Mohammad Gholami scored the winning goal in the 79th minute as Sepahan defeated Al-Nasr 2-1 on the road.

GROUP C STANDINGS:

1. y-Al-Ahli (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 13)
2. x-Al-Gharafa (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 10)
3. z-Sepahan Isfahan FC (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 6)
4. z-Al-Nasr (GP: 5; GD: -9; PTS: 0)

y-Won Group C and advanced to the knockout stage

x-Advanced to the knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament



Group D:

At Tehran, Iran:

Farhad Majidi (45'), Hashem Beikzadeh (73'), and Arash Borhani (90'+1) each delivered a goal as Esteghlal dominated visiting Al-Rayyan 3-0 to clinch a berth in the knockout stage while eliminating their guests in the process.

At Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

Salem Al-Dossari (4') and Wesley Lopes da Silva (24') provided the scoring as Al-Hilal blanked visiting Al-Ain 2-0.

GROUP D STANDINGS:

1. x-Esteghlal FC (GP: 5; GD: +5; PTS: 10)
2.     Al-Hilal (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 9) 
3.     Al-Ain (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 6)
4. z-Al-Rayyan (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 4)

x-Advanced to the knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament



Group G:

At Beijing, China:

Joffre Guerron (47') and Shao Jiayi (87') each scored once as Beijing Guoan blanked the visiting Pohang Steelers 2-0.

At Tashkent, Uzbekistan:

Already-eliminated Sanfrecce Hiroshima prevented hosts FC Bunyodkor from locking up a berth in the knockout stage by holding group leaders to a 0-0 stalemate.

GROUP G STANDINGS:

1. FC Bunyodkor (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
2. Beijing Guoan (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
3. Pohang Steelers (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
4. z-Sanfrecce Hiroshima (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 2)

z-Eliminated from tournament



Group H:

At Kashiwa, Japan

Li Kai scored the equalizer in the 85th minute as Guizhou Renhe gained a 1-1 road draw with Kashiwa Reysol.  Tatsuya Masushima scored for the knockout stage-bound hosts in the 51st minute.

At Suwon, South Korea:

Michael McGlinchey scored the only goal of the match in the 80th minute as the Central Coast Mariners defeated Suwon Samsung Bluewings 1-0 on the road and eliminated the hosts from the tournament.

GROUP H STANDINGS:

1. y-Kashiwa Reysol (GP: 5; GD: +7; PTS: 11)
2.    Central Coast Mariners (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 7)
3.    Guizhou Renhe (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 5)
4. z-Suwon Samsung Bluewings (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 3)

y-Won Group H and advanced to the knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament

MLS: Jack McInerney Powers Philly Past DCU; Quakes Foil Timbers Bid For Rare Road Win

Two games were played in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

At Washington:

Jack McInerney scored twice (7', 26') and assisted on Conor Casey's tally in the 11th minute as the Philadelphia Union held off DC United 3-2 on the road.

At Santa Clara, California:

Adam Jahn's stoppage-time equalizer (90'+2) enabled the San Jose Earthquakes to salvage a 1-1 home draw with the Portland Timbers, whose goal came in the 58th minute by Diego Valeri.

MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1. Kansas City (GP: 8; GF: 8; GD: +3; PTS: 14)
2. Houston (GP: 7; GF: 11; GD: +3; PTS: 13)
3. Montreal (GP: 6; GF: 7; GD: +2; PTS: 13)
4. New York (GP: 9; GF: 13; GD: +1; PTS: 11)
5. Philadelphia (GP: 7; GF: 10; GD: 0; PTS: 11)
6. Columbus (GP: 7; GF: 9; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
7. Toronto FC (GP: 7; GF: 9; GD:-1; PTS: 7)
8. Chicago (GP: 7; GF: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 7)
9. New England (GP: 6; GF: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 5)
10. DC United (GP: 7; GF: 4; GD: -6; PTS: 4)

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1. FC Dallas (GP: 8; GF: 13; GD: +6; PTS: 19)
2. Los Angeles (GP: 6; GF: 10; GD: +6; PTS: 11)
3. Real Salt Lake (GP: 8; GF: 7; GD: 0; PTS: 11)
4. Portland (GP: 7; GF: 11; GD: +2; PTS: 10)
5. Chivas USA (GP: 7; GF: 10; GD: +1; PTS: 10)
6. San Jose (GP: 8; GF: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 9)
7. Vancouver (GP: 7; GF: 7; GD: -2; PTS: 8)
8. Colorado (GP: 8; GF: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 8)
9. Seattle (GP: 6; GF: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 5)

OFC Champions League: Waitakere United Top ACFC In Auckland Derby

Two games were played in the OFC Champions League's group stage on Saturday, with another played on Sunday.

Group A, both played on Saturday:

At Honiara, Solomon Islands:

Gagame Feni (11', 44') and Moffat Kilifa (13', 27') each scored twice in the first half as Solomon Warriors doubled-up PRK Hekari United 4-2.

At Port Vila, Vanuatu:

Successful penalty kicks from Avinesh Suwamy (60') and Josefata Neibuli (67') carried Ba FC to a 2-1 road win over Amicale FC in a battle of clubs that will play in the semifinal round.

GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. x-Ba FC (GP: 5; GD: +10; PTS: 13)
2. x-Amicale FC (GP: 5; GD: +5; PTS: 10)
3. z-Solomon Warriors (GP: 5; GD: -7; PTS: 4)
4. z-PRK Hekari United (GP: 5; GD: -8; PTS: 1)

x-Advanced to semifinal round

z-Eliminated from tournament

Group B:

At Auckland, New Zealand:

In the lone OFC Champions League match played on Sunday, Jake Butler scored the only goal of the match in the 26th minute as Waitakere United defeated local rivals Auckland City 1-0 on the road.

OFC Champions League: Wednesday Roundup; Ba FC, Amicale FC Lock Up Semifinal-Round Berths

Here's a summary of the four games that were played this past Wednesday in the OFC Champions League.

Group A:

At Ba, Fiji:

Sanni Issa delivered a natural hat trick (47', 63', 75') as Ba FC demolished visiting Solomon Warriors 5-0, clinching a berth in the semifinal round in the process.

At Port Vila, Vanuatu:

Joses Nawo (38') and Fenedy Masauvakalo (76') delivered the goals that propelled Amicale FC to a 2-0 home win over PRK Hekari United and a berth in the semifinal round.

GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. x-Ba FC (GP: 4; GD: +9; PTS: 10)
2. x-Amicale (GP: 4; GD: +7; PTS: 10)
3. z-PRK Hekari United (GP: 4; GD: -6; PTS: 1)
4. z-Solomon Warriors (GP: 4; GD: -9; PTS: 1)

x-Clinched berth in semifinal round

z-Eliminated from tournament



Group B:

At Auckland, New Zealand:

Teaonui Tehau (76'), Ivan Vicelich (OG-84'), and Sylvain Graglia (90'+1) provided the scoring as AS Dragon knocked off Auckland City 3-1 on the road.

At Auckland, New Zealand:

Roy Krishna scored twice (49', 55') as Waitakere United defeated visiting AS Mont Dore 3-1.

GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. Auckland City (GP: 4; GD: +12; PTS: 9)
2. Waitakere United (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 7)
3. AS Dragon (GP: 4; GD: +4; PTS: +4; PTS: 7)
4. AS Mont Dore (GP: 4; GD: -17; PTS: 0)

CAF Champions League

Five games were played on Sunday as the second round proper of the CAF Champions League continued.

At Rades, Tunisia:

The opening contest of the two-game series between CA Bizertian and visiting Al-Ahly ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

At Garoua, Cameroon:

Coton Sport found themselves 45 seconds away from the group stage following their series-opening 3-0 home domination of Stade Malien.

At Dolisie, Republic of the Congo:

Guelord Bebey-Ndey (36'), Arouna Drame (45'), and Kalema Ntela (PK-90') each delivered a goal as AC Leopards took their series opener with ES Setif 3-1 at home.

At Enugu, Nigeria:

Recreativo do Libolo held hosts Enugu Rangers to a series-opening 0-0 deadlock.

At Rabat, Morocco:

Kevin Zougoula's equalizer in the 80th minute lifted Sewe Sport to a series-opening 1-1 road draw with FUS Rabat.  Brahim El Bahri scored for the hosts in the 70th minute.

MLS: Sounders End Victory Drought; Red Bulls, Fire, Hoops, RSL, Galaxy Also Grab Saturday Wins

Seven games were played in Major League Soccer on Saturday.

At Toronto:

Warren Creaville's second-half equalizer (90'+4) lifted the ten-man Houston Dynamo to a 1-1 road draw with Toronto FC.  Jeremy Hall scored for the hosts in the 58th minute.

At Commerce City, Colorado:

Obafemi Martins scored the only goal of the match in the 27th minute as the Seattle Sounders became the last team in the league to pick up a win, 1-0 on the road over the Colorado Rapids.

At Harrison, New Jersey:

Dax McCarty (4'), Fabian Espindola (8'), Thierry Henry (82'), and Jonny Steele (89') each tallied once as the New York Red Bulls dominated the visiting New England Revolution 4-1.

At Bridgeview, Illinois:

Jeff Larentowicz scored the long goal of the match in the 83rd minute as the Chicago Fire downed the visiting Columbus Crew 1-0.

At Frisco, Texas:

Blas Perez scored the insurance goal in the 50th minute as FC Dallas blanked the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0.

At Sandy, Utah:

Javier Morales scored the game's lone goal in the 53rd minute as Real Salt Lake defeated visiting Chivas USA 1-0.

At Carson, California:

Marcelo Sarvas (27') and Landon Donovan (74') each tallied a goal as the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated Sporting Kansas City 2-0 at home.

CAF Champions League

The third round proper of the CAF Champions League commenced on Saturday.

At Cairo, Egypt:

Abdoulaye  Cisse's equalizer in the 83rd minute enabled Zamalek to salvage a series-opening 1-1 home draw with Saint George.  Umed Ukuri scored for the Ethiopian club in the 67th minute.

At Bejaia, Algeria:

Esperance ST held hosts JSM Bejaia to a series-opening 0-0 stalemate.

At Johannesburg, South Africa:

Collins Mbesuma scored twice (57', PK-90'+2) as Orlando Pirates took game one of their two-match series with TP Mazembe 3-1 at home.

Oh, Well.....................

I guess there IS a first time for everything.  Including relegation from your country's top flight.

And that could be the club's death knell.

Copa Libertadores: Tigre, Fluminense, Gremio Advance To Knockout Stage As Group-Stage Play Ends

Group-stage play in the Copa Libertadores concluded with four games played on Thursday.

Group Two:

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Ruben Botta (11', 78') and Matias Perez Garcia (29', 55') each scored twice, each scoring a goal in each half as Tigre knocked off Club Libertad 5-3 to lock up a berth in the knockout stage while eliminating the Paraguayan club out of the tournament in the process.

At Callao, Peru:

Irven Avila scored the only goal of the match as Sporting Cristal defeated visiting (and knockout stage-bound) Palmeiras 1-0.

FINAL GROUP TWO STANDINGS:

1. Palmeiras (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 9)
2. Tigre (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 9)
3. Club Libertad (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 8)
4. Sporting Cristal (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 8)

Palmeiras and Tigre advanced to the knockout stage.



Group Eight:

At Talcahuano, Chile:

Ze Roberto scored in the 33rd minute as Gremio clinched a berth in the knockout stage with a 1-1 road draw with Huachipato.  Miguel Aceval equalized in the 89th minute for the hosts, who, due to inferior goal differential vis a viv the Brazilian club.

At Rio de Janeiro:

Rafael Sobis scored the only goal of the match in the 54th minute as Fluminense locked up the Group Eight title with a 1-0 home win over Caracas FC.

FINAL GROUP EIGHT STANDINGS:

1. Fluminense (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 11)
2. Gremio (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 8)
3. Huachipato (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
4. Caracas FC (GP: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 6)

Fluminense and Gremio advanced to the knockout stage.

Copa Libertadores: Club Nacional Captures Group A Despite Defeat; Sao Paulo In Knockout Stage; Arsenal de Sarandi, The Strongest Eliminated

Four games were played on Wednesday in the Copa Libertadores as two more groups concluded play.

Group A:

At Guayaquil, Ecuador:

Gonzalo Castillejos scored the only goal of the match in the 34th minute as Barcelona, despite having already been eliminated from the tournament, knocked off visiting Club Nacional of Uruguay 1-0.

At Toluca, Mexico:

Flavio Santos scored twice (65', 81') as Toluca, also despite having already been eliminated from the tournament, knocked off Boca Juniors, 3-2 at home, preventing the Argentinian club from winning Group A.

FINAL GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. Club Nacional (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 10)
2. Boca Juniors (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 9)
3. Toluca (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 8)
4. Barcelona (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 6)

Club Nacional and Boca Juniors advanced to the knockout stage.



Group Three:

At Sarandi, Argentina:

Martin Rolle (30') and Julio Furch (61') provided the scoring as Arsenal de Sarandi defeated The Strongest 2-1 at home, eliminating the Bolivian club from the tournament.  The hosts still missed out on the knockout stage themselves due to inferior goal differential vis a viv Sao Paulo.

At Sao Paulo, Brazil:

Rogerio Ceni (PK-57') and Ademilson (82') provided the goals as Sao Paulo defeated visiting (and group-winning) Atletico Mineiro 2-0 and locked up a berth in the knockout stage due to superior goal differential vis a viv Arsenal de Sarandi.

FINAL GROUP THREE STANDINGS:

1. Atletico Mineiro (GP: 6; GD: +7; PTS: 15)
2. Sao Paulo FC (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 7) 
3. Arsenal de Sarandi (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 7)
4. The Strongest (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 6)

Atletico Mineiro and Sao Paulo FC (the later due to superior goal differential vis a viv Arsenal de Sarandi) advanced to the knockout stage.

MLS: Road Win Puts SKC Atop Eastern Conference Standings

At Harrison, New Jersey:

In the lone Wednesday Major League Soccer contest, Aurelien Collin scored the only goal of the match in the 13th minute as Sporting Kansas City moved to the top of the Eastern Conference standings following their 1-0 road win over the New York Red Bulls, who finished the game with ten men.

Copa Libertadores: Real Garcilaso Advance To Knockout Stage

The final week of group-stage play in the Copa Libertdaores commenced on Tuesday with two games, both played in Group Six.

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Cerro Porteno battled visiting Deportes Tolima to a 0-0 stalemate, eliminating the Colombian club from the tournament.

At Bogota, Colombia:

Wilder Medina (47') and Cristian Borja (71') each delivered a goal as Santa Fe won Group Six with a 2-0 home blanking of Real Garcilaso.  Despite the defeat, the Peruvian club advanced to the knockout stage.

FINAL GROUP SIX STANDINGS:

1. Santa Fc (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 14)
2. Real Garcilaso (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 10)
3. Deportes Tolima (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
4. Cerro Porteno (GP: 6; GD: -8; PTS: 1)

Santa Fe and Real Garcilaso advanced to the knockout stage.

FA Cup: It's Citizens vs. Lactics In Final

The semfinal round of England's FA Cup took place over the weekend, with both games contested at London's Wembley Stadium.

In Saturday's contest, which was marred by "fan" violence, Shaun Maloney (25') and Callum McManaman (78') each delivered a goal as Wigan Athletic defeated Millwall from the League Championship 2-0.

In the Sunday match, Samir Nasri (35') and Sergio Aguero (47') each scored once as Manchester City knocked off defending cup-holders Chelsea 2-1.

The Lactics and Citizens will square off at Wembley in the final on May 11 with the winner (barring qualifying for European competition) heading to the group stage for next season's Europa League.  It is expected that the Citizens will qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League group stage and that the Lactics---who are fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier League---will play in the Europa League's group stage, win or lose.

This year's final is Wigan's first (since being founded in 1932) and Manchester City's tenth (the Citizens have won the trophy five times, most recently in 2011).

MLS: Late Goals Propel Dynamo, Timbers To Victory; Crew And Impact Draw In Montreal

Three games were played in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

At Montreal:

Dominic Oduro's equalizer in the 72nd minute lifted the Columbus Crew to a 1-1 road draw with the Montreal Impact in a contest postponed from Saturday due to wintry conditions.  Marco Di Vaio scored for the Impact in the 68th minute.

At Houston:

Brad Davis scored the winning goal in the 81st minute as the Houston Dynamo defeated the visiting Chicago Fire 2-1.

At Portland, Oregon:

Will Johnson scored the only goal of the match off a free kick in the 78th minute as the Portland Timbers notched their second successive victory, 1-0 at home over the San Jose Earthquakes.

MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1. Montreal (GP: 6; GF: 7; GD: +2; PTS: 13)
2. Houston (GP: 6; GF: 10; GD: +3; PTS: 12)
3. Kansas City (GP: 6; GF: 7; GD: +4; PTS: 11)
4. Columbus (GP: 6; GF: 9; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
5. New York (GP: 7; GF: 9; GD: -1; PTS: 8)
6. Philadelphia (GP: 6; GF: 7; GD: -1; PTS: 8)
7. Toronto FC (GP: 6; GF: 8; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
8. New England (GP: 5; GF: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 5)
9. Chicago (GP: 6; GF: 5; GD: -7; PTS: 4)
10. DC United (GP: 6; GF: 2; GD: -5; PTS: 4)

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1. FC Dallas (GP: 7; GF: 11; GD: +4; PTS: 16)
2. Chivas USA (GP: 6; GF: 10; GD: +2; PTS: 10)
3. Portland (GP: 6; GF: 10; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
4. Los Angeles (GP: 5; GF: 8; GD: +4; PTS: 8)
5. Vancouver (GP: 6; GF: 7; GD: 0; PTS: 8)
6. Colorado (GP: 7; GF: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 8)
7. Real Salt Lake (GP: 7; GF: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 8)
8. San Jose (GP: 7; GF: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 8)
9. Seattle (GP: 5; GF: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 2)

MLS: Red Bulls, Hoops, Rapids Post Shutout Wins On Three-Draw Saturday

Six games were played on Saturday in Major League Soccer.

At Chester, Pennsylvania:

Jack McInerney's stoppage-time equalizer (90'+3) carried the Philadelphia Union to a 1-1 home draw with ten-man Toronto FC.  Robert Earnshow scored for the visiting Reds in the 71st minute.

At Seattle:

The New England Revolution held the still-winless home-standing Seattle Sounders to a 0-0 stalemate.

At Vancouver, British Columbia:

Camilo Sanvezzo's penalty kick in the 84th minute lifted the Vancouver Whitecaps to a 1-1 deadlock with visiting Real Salt Lake, whose score came through the courtesy of Olmes Garcia in the 66th minute.

At Washington:

Thierry Henry (29') and Jamison Olave (36') each delivered a first-half tally as the New York Red Bulls blanked DC United 2-0 on the road.

At Frisco, Texas:

George John scored the only goal of the match in the 88th minute as FC Dallas defeated the visiting, ten-man, and previously-unbeaten (in MLS play) Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 in a contest that saw each team fail to convert a penalty kick (the Hoops' Kenny Cooper at 61 minutes, the Galaxy's Landon Donovan [in his firs MLS start of the season] eight minutes later).

At Carson, California:

The Colorado Rapids defeated Chivas USA 1-0 on the road, with the Rapids' Deshorn Brown converting a penalty kick in seventh minute.

OFC Champions League: Saturday Wins For Ba FC, Amicale, Auckland City, Waitakere United As Group-Stage Play Reaches Halfway Mark

The first half of group-stage play in the OFC Champions League came to a close with one game played on Friday and three more played on Saturday.

Group A:

At Ba, Fiji:

Malakai Tiwa (18') and Sanni Issa (80') each scored a goal as Ba FC blanked visiting PRK Heraki United 2-0.

At Port Vila, Vanuatu:

Alphonse Bongnaim (60') and Dominique Fred (88") each scored once during the second half as Amicale FC blanked the visiting Solomon Warriors 2-0.

GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. Ba FC (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
2. Amicale FC (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
3. Solomon Warriors (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 1)
4. PRK Heraki United (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 1)



Group B:

At Auckland, New Zealand:

Adam Dickinson delivered a first-half hat trick (4', 34', 43') while Manuel Exposito added a natural second-half triple of his own (61', 65', 81') as Auckland City destroyed visiting AS Mont-Dore 12-2.  Mario Bilen delivered a double (26', 38') for the hosts.

At Pirae, Tahiti:

Jake Bulter scored the lone goal of the match in the 43rd minute as Waitakere United defeated AS Dragon 1-0 on the road in the lone Friday contest.

GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. Auckland City (GP: 3; GD: +14; PTS: 9)
2. AS Dragon (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
3. Waitakere United (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
4. AS Mont-Dore (GP: 3; GD: -15; PTS: 0)

Europa League Semifinal Draw: Yellow Canaries Get Eagles; Basel To Get Crack At Blues

The draw for the semifinal round of the Europa League took place on Friday at Nyon, Switzerland.

Both opening games will take place on April 25 with each series' return match to be played on May 2.

Here are the match-ups with the game-one hosts listed first.

Fenerbahce vs. SL Benfica

FC Basel vs. Chelsea

The winners will meet in the final on May 15 at the Amsterdam ArenA in the Netherlands' capital city.

UEFA Champions League Semifinal Draw: Bayern To Take One Barca; Dortmund To Battle Galacticos

The draw for the semifinal round of the UEFA Champions League took place on Friday at Nyon, Switzerland.

Bayern Munich will host Barcelona in the opening match of their two-game series on April 23, with the return contest in Barcelona on May 1.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund will host their series opener with Real Madrid on April 24 with Los Galacticos hosting the return match on April 30.

The winners will square off at London's Wembley Stadium in the final, to take place on May 25, with that game's winner to take part in December's FIFA Club World Cup.

Copa Libertadores: Palmeiras, Newell's Old Boys In Knockout Stage

Three games were played in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores on Thursday.

Group Two:

At Sao Paulo, Brazil:

Charles Fernando Basilio da Silva scored the only goal of the match in the 53rd minute as Palmeiras locked up a berth in the knockout stage with a 1-0 home win over Club Libertad.

GROUP TWO STANDINGS:

1. x-Palmeiras (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 9)
2.    Club Libertad (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 8)
3.    Tigre (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 6)
4. z-Sporting Cristal (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 5)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament



Group Seven:

At Barquisimeto, Venezuela:

Luciano Civelli (45'), Isaac Diaz (46'), and Cesar Cortes (78') each scored once as Universidad de Chile defeated Deportivo Lara 3-2 on the road.  

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Juan Salgueiro (PK-32', 76') and Juan Ferreyra (55', 78') each scored twice as Club Olimpia sewed up the Group Seven crown with a 4-1 home domination of Newell's Old Boys, who, despite the defeat, still advanced to the knockout stage.

FINAL GROUP SEVEN STANDINGS:

1. Club Olimpia (GP: 6; GD: +9; PTS: 13)
2. Newell's Old Boys (GP; 6; GD: +1; PTS: 9)
3. Universidad de Chile (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 9)
4. Deportivo Lara (GP: 6; GD: -8; PTS: 4)

Club Olimpia and Newell's Old Boys (who had a superior goal differential to Universidad de Chile) advanced to the knockout stage.

Europa League: Chelsea, FC Basel, Fenerbahce, Benfica Advance To Semifinals

Four matches were contested on Thursday as the quarterfinal round of the Europa League come to a close.

At Moscow:

With goals from Ferenando Torres (5') and Victor Moses (55'), Chelsea, despite dropping a 3-2 game-two decision on the road to FK Rubin Kazan, still won their two-game series with the Russian club 5-4 on aggregate.

At Basel, Switzerland:

Clint Dempsey scored twice (23', 82') for Tottenham Hotspur.  However, Mohamed Salah (27') and Aleksander Dragovic (49') each tallied once for home-standing FC Basel.  With the scored after regulation of the second game at 2-2 and the series deadlocked on aggregate at 4-4, and after 30 minutes of scoreless overtime, Fabian Schar, Marco Streller, Fabian Frei, and Marcelo Diaz each converted their spot kicks as the hosts won the penalty-kick shootout 4-1 advanced to the semifinal round.

At Rome:

Caner Erkin scored in the 73rd minute as Fenerbahce gained a 1-1 road draw in game two with Lazio and took out the Young Eagles 3-1 on aggregate.

At Newcaslte upon Tyne, England:

Eduardo Salvio scored in second-half stoppage time (90'+2) as SL Benfica gained a 1-1 game-two road draw with Newcastle United and took out the Magpies 4-2 on aggregate.

CONCACAF Champions League: Rematch Of Last Year's Final; MLS Clubs Out In Cold Again

At Monterrey, Mexico:

Aldo de Nigris scored the only goal of the match in the 81st minute on Wednesday as Monterrey defeated the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 in game two to win their two-match CONCACAF Champions League semifinal series 3-1 on aggregate.

This sets up a rematch of last year's final with Santos Laguna, which the Striped Gang won last year.

This year's two-match final will start on Santos' home pitch in Torreon, Mexico on April 24, with the return match the following Wednesday in Monterrey, as the Stripe Gang will be seeking their third straight title.  The winner would advance to this December's FIFA Club World Cup.

Copa Libertadores: Everyone Still Alive In Group Eight

Group-stage play in the Copa Libertadores continued on Wednesday with four games.

Group Five:

At Sao Paulo, Brazil:

Romarinho (26'), Paolo Guerrero (60'), and Edinilson Andrade dos Santos (90'+3) each scored a goal as Corinthians won Group Five with their 3-0 home domination of Bolivia's Club Deportivo San Jose.

At Tijuana, Mexico:

Fidel Martinez scored the only goal of the match in second-half stoppage time (90'+4) as Club Tijuana tuned up for knockout-stage play with a 1-0 victory over visiting Millonarios.

FINAL GROUP FIVE STANDINGS:

1. Corinthians (GP: 6; GD: +8; PTS: 13)
2. Club Tijuana (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 13)
3. Club Deportivo San Jose (GP: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 5)
4. Millonarios (GP: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 3)

Corinthians (defending champions) and Club Tijuana advanced to the group stage.



Group Six:

At Cusco, Peru:

Oscar Gamarra scored twice (9', 90') as Real Garcilaso placed themselves on the cusp of advancing to the knockout stage by demolishing visiting Cerro Porteno 5-1.

GROUP SIX STANDINGS:

1. x-Santa Fe (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 11)
2.    Real Garcilaso (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
3.    Deportes Tolima (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
4. z-Cerro Porteno (GP: 5; GD: -8; PTS: 0)

x-Clinched berth in the knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament



Group Eight:

At Porto Alegre, Brazil:

The contest between Gremio and visiting Fluminense ended in a 0-0 stalemate as both clubs are still very much alive not only for advancing to the knockout stage, but winning Group Eight as well.

GROUP EIGHT STANDINGS:
1. Fluminense (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 8)
2. Gremio (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
3. Huachipato (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
4. Caracas FC (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 6)