AL AIN, United Arab Emirates, 27 October 2005 — Defending champions Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia drew 1-1 with Al Ain in the first leg of the Asian Champions League final here yesterday.
Defender Ali Msarri got Al Ain, the winners of the inaugural Asian title in 2003, on the board first with a goal in the 50th minute. But Al-Ittihad’s Sierra Leone striker Mohamad Kallon was on target with a penalty in the 81st minute to give the Saudi side the upper hand going into the second leg in Jeddah on Nov. 5.
Late Own Goal Gives Bordeaux
1-0 Win Over Marseille
In Paris, an own goal five minutes from time by defender Abdoulaye Meite gave Girondins Bordeaux a 1-0 home victory over Olympique Marseille in the first round of the French League Cup yesterday.
Meite deflected a cross into his own net past goalkeeper Fabien Barthez in a match the hosts largely dominated.
It was a disappointing outcome for Marseille captain Barthez who had produced an outstanding performance in keeping his side in the game and en route for extra time. The France keeper did well to save a close-range header and a 15-meter shot by Bordeaux number nine Jean-Claude Darcheville in the first half.
Marseille came close when midfielder Sabri Lamouchi had his volley saved by Bordeaux keeper Ulrich Rame with his foot on the hour.
Palace Knock Liverpool
Out of League Cup
In London, a 66th-minute goal by German midfielder Marco Reich helped second division Crystal Palace record a surprise 2-1 win over European champions Liverpool in the third round of the League Cup on Tuesday.
Arsenal, League Cup winners in 1987 and 1993, eased to a 3-0 victory at Sunderland while West Bromwich Albion won 3-2 at Fulham after their all-Premier League clash went to extra-time.
Blackburn Rovers advanced to the last 16 with a 3-0 triumph over second division Leeds United at Ewood Park while Aston Villa edged second division Burnley 1-0.
Liverpool, beaten 3-2 by Chelsea in last year’s League Cup final in Cardiff, withstood an early onslaught from Palace before falling behind in the 37th minute at Selhurst Park.
Harry Kewell gave the ball away in midfield and Dougie Freedman pounced on a left-wing cross to power a close-range header beyond goalkeeper Scott Carson.
Australia striker Kewell tried to make amends for his lapse when he forced Palace keeper Julian Speroni to make a reflex save a minute later.
Liverpool, seven-times winners of the League Cup, equalized in the 40th minute when captain Steven Gerrard steered a precise low shot into the corner of the net from 20 meters.
Darren Potter spurned a good chance to put the visitors in front in the 56th minute when he spooned a close-range volley over the bar with an open goal gaping.
Palace, relegated from the Premier League last season, grabbed the winner when Michael Hughes clipped a clever ball over a packed Liverpool defense for Reich to volley home from eight meters.
In Tuesday’s other ties, high-flying Premier League side Wigan Athletic needed extra-time goals from Ryan Taylor (penalty) and Andreas Johansson to defeat second division Watford 2-0.
Reading beat second division title rivals Sheffield United 2-0, Millwall won 3-2 at Mansfield Town and Doncaster Rovers overcame Gillingham 2-0.
