Home>News Center>Sports
         
 

Al Ittihad, Al Ain on track for Champions League final
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-09-29 11:12

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Reuters) -- Holders Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia made almost certain of their place in the AFC Champions League final by thrashing Pusan I-Park 5-0 in South Korea on Wednesday.

Al Ittihad are huge favorites to advance after the second leg in Jeddah on Oct. 12 and set up a likely all-Arab final against 2003 Asian champions Al Ain, who recorded a 6-0 rout in their semifinal first leg against China's Shenzhen Jianlibao.

Pusan went into the home game against Al Ittihad with a record of eight wins out of eight in the competition, including six group matches and its 5-1 aggregate victory over Qatar's Al Sadd in the quarterfinals.

Al Ittihad were without injured Cameroonian Joseph Desire Job, who is on loan from English Premier League Middlesbrough, and suspended captain Mohammed Noor.

But the Saudis still proved too strong for Ian Porterfield's side.

Al Ittihad took the lead 10 minutes into the second period through Marzouk Al Otaibi.

Mohamed Kallon (62) and Brazilian Tcheco (65) increased their advantage before Saud Ali Khariri added a fourth goal four minutes from time.

Substitute Hamzah Idris completed the scoring in the final minute.
Page: 12



Selected Reuters sports pictures for September 27
Reuters best sports pictures for September 26
Real Madrid celebrate goal
 
  Today's Top News     Top Sports News
 

China, US edge closer to textile trade deal

 

   
 

Taipei urged to respond to panda goodwill

 

   
 

US happy with China yuan moves, wants more

 

   
 

China sets blueprint for fighting flu pandemic

 

   
 

China seen world leader in clean energy

 

   
 

Doctors not up to scratch on hepatitis

 

   
  Real win late; Liverpool, Chelsea draw
   
  Barca, Juve, Bayern, Arsenal maintain winning ways
   
  Celta's Giovanella suspended for two years
   
  China surrender as Japan lift trophy at championship
   
  Ethiopians turn mental strength into gold
   
  BMW cannot expect a win in 2006, says Heidfeld
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
Battle of East vs West in AFC Champions League semifinals
   
Shandong Luneng suffer 7-2 blow at Champions League
   
Shenzhen stun Al Ahli to book semi-final ticket
   
Chinese sides ready for AFC Champions League
   
Thailand confirmed as 2007 Asian Cup co-host
   
FIFA confirm Australia's move into Asian confederation
   
Corruption could kill football in China - AFC
Advertisement